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Hamilton Police issued a warning after a male suspect posing as an undercover cop took a wallet and other items from unsuspecting victims near the downtown area this week.

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Police said the two incidents happened on Monday with the first being reported at 8 a.m. in the Cannon St. E.-Wellington St. N. area, where the victim had just exited a store before being summoned to a black vehicle.

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They said the suspect, who remained seated inside the vehicle, claimed to be an undercover cop and told the victim that they matched a suspect’s description before demanding they surrender their wallet for identification.

The suspect fled when the wallet was handed over.

The second incident was reported about 90 minutes later in the King-Ashley Sts. area, where the victim was walking before being approached by the same suspect.

The suspect again said he was an undercover cop and told the victim they were being detained for a bike theft. He then patted down the victim, took their cellphone and debit card and didn’t return after telling the victim he needed to go to his vehicle to place the items in an evidence bag.

Police said the male suspect is about 25 years old, is 5-foot-5 with a larger build and has a tattoo above the left eye and short brown hair. He was wearing a multi-coloured baseball cap, black pants and a colourful top at the time and was operating a black SUV that resembled a police vehicle.

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They also warned the public that “legitimate police officers will clearly identify themselves.

“Officers will wear identifiable police-issued clothing and carry both a badge and an official warrant card,” cops said in a news release. “Members of the public have the right to request proper identification if they are approached.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-546-4725 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

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Hamilton men accused of gas station heists

Police have charged two men with a slew of offences in connection to dozens of gas station robberies in rural Hamilton and other parts of southern Ontario.

Hamilton Police said the “extensive investigation” began in February and that they identified a “pattern of overnight break-ins” between Feb. 24 and April 1 with 21 incidents believed to be connected.

Police said in each instance, the suspects allegedly showed up in stolen vehicles and gained entry to businesses by force, either by smashing glass doors or by using a hook attached to a vehicle to remove security gates.

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They said cigarettes were the primary target and the break-ins caused “significant” property damage.

As a result, police said they executed search warrants on April 8 at two Hamilton residences and arrested two men, while also recovering seven stolen vehicles over the course of the investigation.

Christopher Claros, 37, of Hamilton, was charged with multiple counts of break and enter, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime, operation while prohibited and possession of a counterfeit mark, as well as other theft- and drug trafficking-related offences.

Nickolas Claros, 38, also of Hamilton, was charged with proceeds of crime under $5,000, possession of ammunition contrary to an order, three counts each of possession of property obtained by crime and operation while prohibited and seven counts of failure to comply with probation.

Police asked anyone with additional information about this case to contact Det. Patrick Root at 905-540-6327 or Det.-Staff Sgt. David Brewster at 905-546-2991. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

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