SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Elderly residents across Sacramento County are being warned about a string of distraction robberies, schemes where thieves use hugs, fake jewelry and other tricks to steal from unsuspecting victims.
In Elk Grove, police say five such incidents have been reported in just the last six weeks. The victims are often elderly or women wearing visible jewelry. In some cases, the suspects have even used children to help carry out the crimes.
“These are professionals,” said Mark Hutchason, owner of The Gold Digger pawn shop in Elk Grove. “That’s what they’re trained to do. I have many customers that it’s happened to.”…