For better or worse: Husband and wife plead guilty to distraction thefts at B.C. jewelry shops
VPD announced husband and wife Adam and Maria Caldarar pleaded guilty to charges of theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000, linked to incidents in Vancouver, West Vancouver and North Vancouver
By Stephanie Ip
Last updated 6 hours ago
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It seems a husband and wife took their marriage vows of for better or for worse seriously.
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A married couple has pleaded guilty after they were identified in an investigation involving several police forces into a series of distraction thefts targeting jewelry stores in B.C. and Alberta.
A lengthy probe began in December 2025 when the VPD’s retail crime task force noticed a pattern of “sophisticated” distraction thefts in the city, both at shops inside malls and standalone boutiques.
Police identified 12 incidents between August 2025 and February 2026 believed to be connected to or committed by the same people. Investigators later established that the thefts were linked to a foreign organized retail crime group.
“These incidents spanned communities from West Vancouver to Revelstoke, with an additional offence in Calgary,” said police in a statement. “A total of more than $90,000 in jewelry was taken.”
Two suspects were identified and arrested in Chilliwack in early March.
On Thursday, VPD announced Adam and Maria Caldarar pleaded guilty to charges of theft over $5,000 and theft under $5,000, for incidents in Vancouver, West Vancouver and North Vancouver.
According to Sgt. Adam Donaldson, the couple stole gold in the form of necklaces, rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and even gold bars.
The scheme often involved groups of up to six people entering a jewelry store, with separate individuals asking to view multiple items from different displays. Once the items were laid out for display, the suspects would distract the staff while others pocketed the items.
In most instances, said Donaldson, staff did not realize the theft had occurred until later.
The investigation involved police in Kamloops, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Hope and Revelstoke, where additional charges may be recommended.
The couple remains in custody.
