East Bay police: Beware strangers offering ‘jewelry’ - The Mercury News
FREMONT — Police are offering tips to help keep residents and visitors safe after a recent uptick of cases involving suspects who trick unsuspecting jewelry wearers out of their valuables.
In a statement Monday, police said officers patrolling the city have taken reports on nine such incidents this year, including three in the last two weeks.
In the most recent incident Thursday, a woman was walking in the 700 block of McDuff Avenue in the city’s Warm Springs neighborhood when a vehicle pulled up and a male passenger called out asking for directions.
When the woman came over to help, the male passenger then told the woman his mother had recently died and, citing a cultural custom to give away jewelry, handed her a ring and placed gold chains around her neck.
After the exchange, the woman soon realized jewelry she had been wearing was missing, and determined the ring and chains given to her were fake, police said.
Eight cases this year have involved two suspects, described only as a man and woman. Two of those involved a woman with gold front teeth.
This year’s other cases happened at 12:49 p.m. January 7 in the 37600 block of Glenmoor Drive, and 10 a.m. January 29 at Crestwood and Mintwood streets; 6:10 p.m. June 6 at Mission Boulevard and Avenida Palmdale, and 10 a.m. June 9 at Mission and Cougar Drive; 5 p.m. June 21 in the 3000 block of Surry Place, and 11 a.m. June 22 in the 46800 block of Warm Springs Drive, 6:45 p.m.
This month’s cases occurred Sept. 18 at Palm Avenue and Lynn Way, as well as 5:10 p.m. Sept. 23 before last week’s McDuff case, police said.
Police advise residents to follow various tips to guide their interactions with suddenly-friendly strangers bearing gifts: avoid carrying large amounts of money or expensive jewelry; limit distractions such as talking or listening to music on cell phones; and keep an eye out for drivers or pedestrians who either follow you or suddenly enter personal space.
Other best practices include reporting of suspicious vehicles and people, jotting down license plates and descriptions if visible, as well as sticking to well-lit areas if shopping or walking at night, and asking for security guards’ help as escorts to your vehicle.
Anyone with information should call Fremont police at 510-790-6900, or send anonymous tips by texting Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888-777 or online at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
