Woman's necklace stolen while giving directions to child: police

A Guelph police cruiser appears in a file photo. (Submitted)

The Guelph Police Service is reminding residents to be careful when interacting with strangers after a woman said her necklace stolen after giving directions to a child on Monday.

Police said the victim was placing items in her car at Willow West Mall just before 1 p.m. when a small black car stopped close to her. A child, approximately 12-years-old, reportedly lowered the back window and asked for directions to a business.

“After the victim provided the directions, the child leaned out the window and gave the victim a hug,” police said in a media release. “The victim realized afterwards her gold necklace had been removed and replaced with a fake gold necklace.”

The girl was described as having brown skin.

The vehicle was a small black car or SUV driven by a brown-skinned male who was around 30-years-old with a heavy build, black hair and facial hair. It was reported that there were also two other young children in the vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Emma Turney at 519-824-1212, ext. 7438, email [e-mail], or leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).