The Naperville Police Department is warning the public to be wary of strangers who engage with them in parking lots, after a recent report of a jewelry theft involving a distraction technique, according to a social media post by the NPD.
Distraction technique involves offer of gift
Police say the tactics used typically involve a stranger approaching someone in a parking lot who is loading groceries or other items into their car. After starting up a friendly conversation with the victim, the suspect will usually offer them some type of gift.
According to the NPD’s post, that could be “a ring, gold colored necklace, or Apple products like an iPhone or AirPods in factory packaging.” Those items are generally worthless or broken.
Oftentimes, police say, these offenders are working in teams, or have small children with them. Those extra people help create a distraction…