A man who made headlines when he was arrested for using a baby to con seniors in Langley is being sought by police.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for 52-year-old Donald Quinnell and North Vancouver RCMP have issued a warning.
Back in 2014, Quinnell was arrested for using a baby to help steal from elderly victims across the Fraser Valley, including in Langley.
During Seniors Week in Langley, there were eight “distraction thefts” where a man and a woman targeted elderly women out grocery shopping.
They would approach the victim, carrying their baby and ask for water for an overheated car or for water to heat a baby bottle to gain entrance.
READ MORE: Pair who used a baby to help them steal from elderly have been arrested
Police have identified Quinnell as a suspect in a more recent series of similar frauds.
They say Quinnell approaches elderly people under the pretense of needing or offering help.
In some cases he says he has locked his keys out of his car, in others he offers to help carry groceries.
He works his way into their car or home, and steals their wallets, purses and other valuables.
“Sometimes he plays the victim and other times the saviour,” said Sgt. DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP.
“He convinces his victims to either give or receive kindness, which seems a very lovely thing. But then he uses their goodness as a distraction so he can steal their belongings. He gains trust so that he can betray it. It’s manipulative and deplorable.”
Until he has been arrested, police are urging seniors to be cautious.
“It makes us angry that we have to tell the public they need to think twice before giving or accepting kindness from strangers,” said Sgt. DeVries.
“Knowing this guy is watching the elderly in order to find his next victim, we hope everyone else will also be watching for this guy, and keeping a close eye on the elderly in our community.”
Quinnell is described as 6’0″ (183 cm), 190 lbs. (86 kg), with brown hair and brown eyes.
He has several tattoos.
On his chest is a dragon, webbing, “bless this mess”; his left arm has an image of the grim reaper, while his right has a skull with flames.
Anyone who sees the suspect, or witnesses anything suspicious that seems to fit the profile of this crime, is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Anyone who may have been a victim is asked to call their local police department to report it.
Quinnell is being sought in connection with at least nine offences in North Vancouver alone, and multiple charges in all three jurisdictions are expected in the near future, police said
Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at solvecrime.ca.
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of a criminal, recovery of stolen property, seizure of illegal drugs or guns or denial of a fraudulent insurance claim.
At this time, he does not appear to pose any threat of physical violence to his victims, police said.
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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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