Hamilton Police have launched a public appeal to identify four individuals connected to a coordinated distraction theft that targeted an elderly woman last month, resulting in significant financial losses. In an unrelated but alarming incident on Ontario's highways, two paramedics were hospitalized after their ambulance was struck by a dump truck on Highway 401.
Elderly Woman Targeted in Fortinos Parking Lot
The theft occurred on December 6, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., in the parking lot of the Fortinos grocery store located at 1579 Main St. W. in Hamilton. According to investigators, the four suspects worked together to distract the senior citizen before stealing her wallet from her purse. Critically, the thieves also obtained her personal identification number (PIN).
Following the theft, the suspects proceeded to use the victim's debit and credit cards. They successfully withdrew approximately $3,500 in cash and made fraudulent purchases totalling an additional $750.
Police Release Suspect Descriptions
Investigators have released detailed descriptions of the four individuals and are urging the public to come forward with any information.
Suspect One is described as an older male adult. He was seen wearing a dark winter coat, a dark flat cap, glasses, dark pants and shoes. He was also wearing distinctive red gloves.
Suspect Two was wearing a navy-blue Nike jacket, a black knit toque, a light-coloured scarf, and dark pants.
Suspect Three is a male wearing a grey knit toque with a logo and a dark jacket with a light-coloured hood. He was seen carrying a red bottle.
Suspect Four was wearing a light-coloured winter jacket, a fur-lined hat, and a scarf. This individual was pushing a shopping cart at the time of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Service at 905-546-4925 or provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Paramedics, Fire Truck Struck in Separate Highway 401 Incident
In a separate and dangerous event, two paramedics were transported to hospital after the ambulance they were in was hit by a dump truck on Highway 401 at Bennett Road in Bowmanville. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that the collision occurred while emergency crews were responding to a vehicle rollover.
The force of the impact pushed the ambulance into a fire truck that was also on scene assisting with the initial crash. The driver of the dump truck, a 67-year-old man, has been charged with careless driving.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by first responders working on Ontario's busy highways, often referred to as "the corridor of chaos."
Other Notable Police Briefs
In other news from the region, a peculiar audio clip circulated on social media featuring a frustrated driver complaining to York Regional Police about snow plows operating too slowly on Highway 404. The driver, concerned about being late for work, claimed the plows were traveling at 20 kilometres per hour. The police communications officer on the call was forced to clarify that the police have no authority over snow plow speeds, ultimately stating, "Sir, I can't make the snow plows go faster."
Authorities continue to remind the public to remain vigilant, especially in crowded parking lots during the holiday season and to always slow down and move over for emergency vehicles on the roadways.
