‘Be careful all the time’: Distraction theft leaves Calgary visitor shaken
Posted Jun 25, 2026 2:19 pm.
A moment on a northeast Calgary doorstep turned unsettling for a woman visiting from India, in what police are now calling a “distracted theft.”
Alka Lal had stepped outside her son’s home on a Saturday morning to enjoy the weather. She says she was sitting on the front steps when a white car carrying three people pulled up.
According to Lal, the group seemed friendly, with one woman speaking in her native language. The woman asked for a hug, but as Lal stepped closer the situation shifted.
She says the strangers began touching her arms and bangles. In the end her necklace was slipped off without her noticing.
The car sped away before she could react.
Her son returned home shortly after and learned what had happened. He said he was angry and frustrated, noting how easily elderly people can be targeted because they may not recognize the warning signs.
Police say the incident fits a pattern of distraction‑based thefts that rely on friendliness, surprise, and quick movements to catch victims off guard. Lal wasn’t physically hurt, but admits she is now more cautious.
“Be careful all this time,” she said.
Calgary police are reminding residents that not every friendly interaction is safe, and that it’s okay to keep distance from strangers who approach unexpectedly.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
