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A 78-year-old Indian-origin woman was robbed of gold jewellery worth around $20,000, or approximately ₹13 lakh, while out for an evening walk in Brampton, Canada.
According to CTV News, the incident took place on July 28 but came into focus after Toronto police released footage from a similar case involving a woman believed to be connected to the robbery.
The video shows an elderly woman walking along a sidewalk when an SUV stops beside her. A woman gets out of the vehicle, bends down to touch the elderly woman’s feet and then hugs her.
The victim’s son, Raghavendra Kumar, told CTV News that his mother does not speak English well and initially thought the woman was a neighbour. He said the woman gained her trust before allegedly stealing the jewellery.
Kumar said the suspect placed a fake piece of jewellery around his mother’s neck while removing her real gold necklace. The suspects also allegedly took her gold bangles before leaving the area in an SUV.
Police have identified the woman seen in the footage as a person of interest in the investigation. A white Chevrolet Equinox linked to the incident has also been identified as a vehicle of interest.
78-YEAR-OLD BRAMPTON WOMAN FOOLED by THIEF who PRETENDS TO BEFRIEND HER
WOMAN TOUCHES HER FEET and HUGS VICTIM before MAKING THE SWITCH
FAKE JEWELLERY placed around her neck as REAL GOLD NECKLACE is STOLEN
$20,000 IN JEWELLERY TAKEN pic.twitter.com/giz5oapx4e
— RT (@RT_com) September 26, 2026
Kumar said his mother was deeply shaken after realising that she had been robbed. She was reportedly shivering and unable to walk properly after the incident. Though she eventually managed to return home, she was unable to speak for nearly 30 minutes.
He said he was especially worried because his mother has a heart condition and that her health was his immediate concern.
Kumar estimates that around 110 grams of gold jewellery was stolen. Apart from its monetary value, he said the jewellery had deep emotional significance for his mother.
He said the jewellery had been gifted to her by his father when they got married in 1971. His father, who died in 2008, was a goldsmith and had made the jewellery himself.
The incident has also changed the elderly woman’s daily routine. Kumar said she used to enjoy evening walks during summer and often interacted with neighbours, but she has now stopped going out alone and walks only in the backyard.
Kumar said he collected CCTV footage from several homes in the neighbourhood and handed it over to Peel Regional Police and CP24. He has also followed up with police several times but said there has been no major update so far.
Peel Regional Police have confirmed that they are investigating the July 28 incident and have reviewed the CCTV footage provided by the family.
Sounds funny