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In separate statements, the Atherton Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office warned residents of jewelry theft scams.
The specific event mentioned in both press releases involved a woman from Atherton whose jewelry was stolen in an unincorporated area of West Menlo Park.
An elderly Atherton resident was walking on Oct. 14 in unincorporated West Menlo Park when a man and a woman approached her in a car and asked her for directions. After the Atherton resident gave the pair directions, the woman from the pair exited the car and gave the Atherton woman a hug. After the pair drove away, the Atherton woman noticed that her valuable diamond necklace, which had been given to her by her late husband, had been taken.
Atherton Police Chief Steve McCulley said in his statement that “criminals are increasingly targeting individuals, especially seniors, using deceptive tactics to steal valuable items.”
McCulley said that these scams often occur in public places, and involve fake emergencies or distractions, such as asking for directions.
A similar incident happened in 2023 when thieves ripped a $6,000 necklace from woman’s neck on Holbrook Lane in Atherton.
McCulley recommends that residents remain cautious when approached by strangers in public, not allow strangers into their homes without proper identification and avoid displaying valuable jewelry when out in public.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office also recommends maintaining a safe distance from strangers and avoiding physical contact.
The Sheriff’s Office press release states that the agency is actively investigating the theft that took place in West Menlo Park, and that they will use “all available resources” to track down the jewelry thieves.
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