The Riverside County Sheriff's Department issued a warning June 7 about a ring of thieves targeting Coachella Valley and much of Southern California.
Although deputies have arrested a small group in connection with these crimes, Sgt. Jamie Lewis said in a department Riverside County Sheriff's Press Release that a significant number of unidentified suspects associated with this ring are still at large across South California. The ring is suspected in a "resurgence" of jewelry and personal property thefts most recently seen in La Quinta and the surrounding area, Lewis said.
Earlier this year, many unsuspecting community members in the Coachella Valley and much of Southern California were victimized by a ring of thieves, who stole their victims’ jewelry and property.
The crimes followed a specific pattern associated with this crime ring.
"These thieves approached their victims asking for directions or offering jewelry to lure them closer to the victim, at which point jewelry was taken, either forcefully or through false pretenses," Lewis said in the press release.
La Quinta Sheriff's Station urges area residents to exercise caution when strangers approach or engage in conversation to avoid becoming a target of this crime ring. Simple precautions can be the difference between getting home safely and losing one's valuables.
"As always, please stay vigilant of your surroundings and remember to lock your vehicles and stow personal belongings out of plain view while parked in public places," Lewis said in the press release.
Anyone who wants to know more or has information to share can call Deputy Jeff Post at 760-863-8990. The ongoing investigation has involved both La Quinta Special Enforcement Team and the Thermal Sheriff’s Station Special Investigations Unit.
Similar thefts go back to at least February, when Coachella Valley Times reported that an 87-year-old woman was targeted in a La Quinta store parking lot. According to a previous Sheriff's Department news release, an initial investigation showed the victim was waiting for her husband to exit a store when a Romanian female approached her vehicle and opened the door, swiping her ring and necklace. As a result of a struggle over the valuables, the victim received minor injuries. Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit recovered jewelry and arrested a couple on charges of robbery and elder abuse.