“It’s happening everywhere … They have become really bold.”

John Lamont, director of loss prevention for the JVC, said he believes the pair that robbed the Shoppers World store were a “one-off.”

But, he said there is a group of thieves who are travelling the country stealing jewelry in a similar way.

They ask to see various high-value items, and one distracts the clerk while the other uses “sleight-of-hand” to pocket some of the jewelry before giving the rest back to the clerk, Lamont said.

“We have been tracking them through video, from Hinton (Alberta) to the east coast of Canada,” Lamont said. “They’re very, very mobile.”

Two things they do: they don’t come in alone, usually in pairs or there are three or four of them, and they “flash large amounts of cash” including Euros, and say they will go to the bank to exchange the money, but never come back.

They have been successful in stealing rings, Rolex watches, and other jewelry, he said.

Employees in targeted stores have to be “very, very alert,” Lamont recommends. “Don’t bring out a lot of merchandise. One item at a time.”

They have also been known to pull quick change scams.

Anyone who recognizes the Brampton thieves is asked to call Peel police, 22 Division, at 905-453-2121, ext. 2233, or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.