Police Warn Of Thefts Targeting Senior Citizens Walking Alone

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica police and other local authorities are warning people about a string of thefts targeting senior citizens walking alone in the afternoons between 1 and 3 p.m., officials said.

"In each of the reported incidents in Santa Monica, a female suspect calls out to the victim from a parked car asking for directions or assistance in an effort to get the victim to come close enough to touch or grab them," Santa Monica Police Lt. Rudy Flores said.

"The suspect then puts a piece of fake jewelry on the victim, while stealthily removing their expensive jewelry, before fleeing in a getaway vehicle, which is usually driven by a male suspect," Flores said.

Two similar incidents were reported near the 500-600 Block of Ocean Avenue on Feb. 13 and Feb. 17.

Police provided the following suspect descriptions:

• Suspect #1 Passenger – Female, Middle Eastern or white, between 40-60 years old with dark or brown hair.
• Suspect #2 Passenger – Female, possibly white, mid-40s with dark hair. May be wearing a scarf covering her hair.
• Suspect #3 Driver – Male, possibly white, mid-40’s with dark hair.

Police urge people to stay safe and offered guidance to avoid these type of thefts.

"The Santa Monica Police Department would like to remind our residents to never approach a strange vehicle and continue to report suspicious behavior," Flores said.

A similar incident was reported in 2019 in Panorama City, police said.

If you or someone you know believes they have been a victim of a similar crime, police urged.

Contact Santa Monica Police Detective David Haro from the Criminal Investigations Division of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8432 or the Watch Commander (24
hours) at 310-458-8427.

ALSO:

Culver City Police Seek Suspects In Attempted Robbery At Mall