Toronto police officers have reported that two individuals are facing charges in connection with a distraction theft case that targeted a grandmother and her grandchild. The incident occurred on the morning of May 18, 2023, in the area surrounding Culford Road and Falstaff Avenue, situated just south of Highway 401 and west of Keele Street.

According to police, the elderly woman and her grandchild were approached by a man who allegedly "lured the child" towards a van. During this interaction, a woman engaged the grandmother in conversation, successfully diverting her attention. The statement from law enforcement indicated that while the woman distracted the grandmother, the man took the opportunity to steal their jewelry.

After committing the theft, the pair allegedly fled the scene. Subsequently, local police identified the suspects as 41-year-old residents of Toronto, Constantin Porumbita and Bianca Mitran. Both individuals have been charged with robbery and participation in/contribution to a criminal organization.

As part of their legal proceedings, it was reported that Porumbita was scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on June 30, while Mitran’s court date was set for July 13. In the wake of these events, investigators have released images of the suspects to solicit information from the public, as they believe there may be additional victims of similar crimes.

It is essential to note that the allegations made against Porumbita and Mitran have not yet been proven in court, and the investigation is ongoing. The release of their photographs underlines the seriousness with which the Toronto Police Service is treating this case and their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims involved.