Newmarket senior Chris did not expect anything nefarious when she opened her door to a stranger who was pleading for a water jug refill to help address car problems.
Chris, who requested her full name not be used, decided to help the stranger. She closed the door as she went to fill the jug.
Without her noticing at first, the man had entered her home and then approached her with his phone to demand help navigating. She made a scene, and he fled. She would discover he had already taken her wallet with him.
“I can’t leave somebody stranded in the wintertime. That’s my thought,” she said. “You don’t think somebody’s out to rob you. You think somebody needs help.”
York Regional Police confirmed they are investigating a break-and-enter in Newmarket that occurred Feb. 13 around Srigley Street and Alexander Road but could not comment further on an open investigation.
Chris and her family is warning area residents to be wary about falling victim to a crime like this. They also hope that by sharing their story widely, they can find the perpetrator who did this.
The incident went further than just what happened at Chris’ home. She said when visiting her nearby bank the next day, the staff informed her the same man had been looking over her shoulder, attempting to get her PIN. Apparently, Chris said, the man followed her home from there.
“I just don’t want it to happen to anyone else,” Chris said.
While her wallet was taken, her finances were protected. Chris said the credit card company held it due to suspicious activity, and she put a stop order on a cheque in her wallet. The wallet also had no cash but did have all her identification, making her fear for possible future identity theft. She also said she has to spend some money to replace all the pieces of identification.
Her niece, Chelsea Andersen, has put the word out about the incident on local social media.
“It was a bit shocking,” Andersen said, adding she feels she has heard more about crime in Newmarket in recent years than when she was growing up. “Who knows what (would have) happened if he was more of a violent man?”
They hope can find the perpetrator and others can learn from their experience.
“Have awareness of your surroundings, especially dealing with any sort of financial circumstances,” Andersen said.
The incident has impacted Chris, she said.
“I don’t feel safe. I don’t feel secure. It will take a while to get that feeling back.”
