Marina Police warn of mobile jewelry snatching thieves
MARINA, Calif. (KION-TV)- Marina Police said there have been several reported calls for people in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee luring people and stealing their belongings over the past few months.
The latest reported incident was on Monday at 10 a.m. outside a Shuler Circle and Crescent Avenue home, according to police. A male driver and a female passenger began talking with a victim, luring him closer and closer to the vehicle.
The woman then reached over and ripped a gold necklace from the victim's neck. They then drove off, according to police.
The female suspect was described as an Asian Indian or Middle Eastern adult, about 40 to 50 years of age, with auburn hair, wearing a pink-colored dress with flowers, and wearing a nose ring.
The driver was described as an Asian Indian or Middle Eastern adult male, about 40 to 50 years old, with black hair, wearing a white t-shirt, and having a small black mustache, according to Marina Police.
This is one of several similar instances reported in Marina over the past few months. In other instances, the suspects flash jewelry and offer to sell it before taking their victim's belongings and driving away.
“They drive up to you and just ask you, ‘Would you like to buy some gold,” said Sgt. Andy Rosas with the Marina Police Department. “They might be pulled over on the side of the road, and they'll tell you they're out of gas and that they have some gold to sell to make some money for gas.”
Marina Police said these crimes have been reported all over Monterey County.
“Stay away from them,” said Sgt. Rosas. “As long as people continue to approach these individuals and buy their fake gold or get close to potentially be a victim, they're going to continue doing it.”
This week, the Marina Police Department posted a video of a citizen recording the moment scammers tried to sell them fake jewelry. Police said the black car took off when that person began to record. The incident happened on Del Monte Boulevard.
Maricruz Salas's shop is not too far from where it happened. She told KION scammers tried to sell her husband fake jewelry.
“He came up to me and told me that some couple approached him and tried to sell a gold ring,” said Salas. “Cherokee was the car. I don't know exactly. He just said no to them because he thought it wasn't real.”
Police told KION these incidents are not just happening in one specific location.
“Just within the last week, we've had a report of one that was pulled over on a highway off-ramp telling people they were out of gas and needed money,” said Sgt. Rosas. “We've had reports that they were parked in the convenience store right across from the police department.”
Police also want people to be vigilant. Marina Police urges victims of these scams to report it to law enforcement.
Watsonville Police also received reports of people trying to sell fake jewelry in exchange for gas money. The Watsonville P.D. is also investigating those incidents.
