Dashcam catches phone snatching in broad daylight on Jasper Avenue then an elderly man steps in
A phone theft on one of Edmonton's busiest streets was caught on dashcam this week, and it's the unexpected hero that has everyone talking.
What the footage shows
In the video, a man approaches a woman from behind as she walks along Jasper Avenue. He grabs her phone and bolts. Pretty standard smash-and-grab stuff except for what happens next.
An elderly man with a cane steps directly into the thief's path.
The senior confronts the suspect, slowing him down long enough to draw attention from nearby pedestrians. The thief eventually walks off, but not before the whole thing plays out on camera for the world to see.
A second angle posted under "Cell phone theft caught on camera in downtown Edmonton" confirms the location and shows bystanders starting to react as the suspect leaves the scene.
The internet's new favourite grandpa
Social media lit up after the clips started circulating. Comments have been overwhelmingly supportive of the elderly man's quick reaction.
"He didn't even hesitate," one person wrote. "That's the generation that just handled things."
Others pointed out the risk involved confronting a thief isn't exactly recommended but the consensus seems to be that the senior's instincts kicked in and he did what felt right in the moment.
No word yet from Edmonton Police
As of now, EPS hasn't released an official statement on the incident. The suspect appears to have gotten away, though the footage could help with identification. Community members are pushing for increased patrols along Jasper Avenue, especially during peak hours.
A bigger conversation about downtown safety
This isn't happening in a vacuum. Petty theft and street crime in Edmonton's core have been on the radar for a while now. Residents and business owners have been calling for better lighting, more visible security, and clearer guidance on how to stay safe without putting yourself at risk.
The dashcam footage is a reminder that things can go sideways fast but also that sometimes, people still step up.
