Gold Chain Robberies Increase in Union City

Police are asking residents to be cautious when wearing jewelry in public due to an increase in robberies targeting people wearing gold necklaces.

According to Lt. Ben Horner of the , there were three reports of gold chains being snatched in the last week.

“They’re easy to grab, rip off and run,” Horner said.

On Sunday, a woman walking through Kennedy Park was robbed by two individuals who ran up to her and ripped a gold chain off of her neck, police said. A man also reported being pushed to the ground and robbed of his necklace by two individuals on Sunday.

Police believe Sunday's crimes to be related.

On Tuesday, a woman walking on Mission Boulevard near Whipple Road had her necklace snatched as well, according to police.

This week’s incidents were among several that occurred in Union City during the last month, Horner said.

On Sept. 18, . A female suspect in a car pretended to ask the victim for directions before assaulting her and stealing her necklace, according to a police report.

Last month on Aug. 29, a man was . According to the police report, an unknown suspect attacked him from behind and took the gold necklace from around his neck.

The spike in gold chain robberies is not isolated to Union City but is a regional trend fueled by , Horner said.

In August, the Oakland Police Department issued a similar warning to residents after a high number of snatch-and-grab robberies, mainly concentrated in the Fruitvale area. An Oakland mother and her child were later robbed of their gold jewelry on Sept. 15.

Horner advises Union City residents be more inconspicuous when wearing jewelry.

“We just want people to be more careful,” Horner said. “Always look around and observe your surroundings."

Anyone with more information about the robberies is asked to contact Union City police at 510-471-1365. Anonymous tips can be left at 510-675-5207 or by e-mailing tips@unioncity.org.