Three charged in series of distraction thefts

WINDSOR POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Case #: 26-48245
Three charged in series of distraction thefts

The Windsor Police Service has arrested three suspects in connection with a series of distraction thefts.

Between March and May 2026, officers responded to multiple reports involving suspects targeting people in parking lots across Windsor. In each incident, the suspects approached victims, engaged them in conversation, and used distraction and physical contact, such as hugging, to steal their jewelry.  

Shortly before 10 a.m. on May 6, 2026, the suspects approached a woman in Amherstburg and engaged her in conversation before allegedly stealing her jewelry. Less than an hour later, police received a report of a similar incident in a parking lot in the 3100 block of Dougall Avenue, where suspects allegedly replaced a victim’s real jewelry with costume pieces before fleeing in a vehicle.

Approximately one hour later, members of the Windsor Police Target Base Unit located the suspect vehicle near Crawford Avenue and Tecumseh Road West and took three suspects into custody without incident.

Aura Alexandru, 38, Alberto Alexandru, 23, and Liliana Neamtu, 22, are each charged with:

• Theft over $5,000 (x 2)

• Fraud over $5,000  (x 2)

• Theft under $5,000 (x 4)

• Fraud under $5,000 (x 4)

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x 2)

• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x 4)

• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

Aura Alexandru is also charged with two counts of failure to comply with a probation order.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Windsor Police Service Target Base Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350. They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.