“Jewelry swap” thefts are on the rise in Fremont, police warned Saturday, urging people to be on the lookout for swindlers.
In this type of scheme, thieves, often in a vehicle, approach people wearing jewelry as they walk outside, police said. The thieves will often ask for directions, say it’s their birthday or other special occasion, or wish good fortune or offer a prayer. They then distract the victim by hugging them or offering a “gift” of costume jewelry, removing the victim’s valuable jewelry and escaping with it before the victim notices.
Such curbside thefts have increased in Fremont over the past few months, police said on social media, and detectives are “following up on several investigative leads.”…