Local law enforcement is warning residents of a new robbery trend in Orange County, California—where strangers offer a hug, only to steal jewelry.
In one such incident, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to a home in Rancho Santa Margarita July 2 regarding a robbery.
The victim reported that a man and woman were sitting in a parked car in his driveway, and when the woman got out, she approached him and attempted to give him a hug—then she “forcefully removed” his gold necklace, the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
By the time police arrived, the man and woman had left the scene.
The victim provided a description of the suspects, who are possibly involved in similar incidents in Orange County and other surrounding counties, authorities said.
According to Sgt. Matthew Parrish from the sheriff’s department, the suspects likely followed the victim home from a store.
The following day, officers arrested the pair along with a third suspect allegedly involved in an unrelated robbery, the department said.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the recovery of 50 pieces of jewelry belonging to different victims, authorities said.
Riverside residents Ion Stoian, 25, and Larisa Stoian, 24, are now both charged with robbery and conspiracy, according to Mr. Parrish.
He also reminded the public to remain vigilant and cautious of strangers approaching for any reason.
“Random strangers coming up to you and trying to give you a hug or asking for help with something—just be cognizant of those people and what they might be trying to do,” he told The Epoch Times. “It could be innocent, but it could lead to something like this: a distraction burglary.”
He added that while this type of crime is relatively new to Orange County, deputies have reported similar cases in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
