San Diego police warn of thieves targeting elderly victims, switching bogus jewelry for pricey pieces

San Diego police detectives warned residents Thursday about alleged jewelry thieves who have recently targeted elderly victims using a bait-and-switch-style scam.

The suspects allegedly target “elderly members of the Asian community” who are already wearing pricey jewelry, San Diego police Sgt. Kenneth Impellizeri said. The suspects ask the victim to try on what also appears to be high-end jewelry — but is actually costume jewelry.

While the victim tries on the fakes, the suspects remove the victim’s actual high-end jewelry, leaving the victim with the bogus wares, Impellizeri said.

The suspects then take off in a rental vehicle, he said.

Police did not say how many times the thieves have pulled off such heists, but detectives from the department’s western division “believe there are cases that have not been reported,” according to Impellizeri.

The suspects were also recently spotted casing Buddhist temples in the Police Department’s mid-city division, in the area in and around City Heights, Impellizeri said.

Detectives urged victims to report thefts of this nature to the San Diego Police Department’s non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com