KITSAP COUNTY, Wash. — In Kitsap County, the sheriff’s office continues its search for the "kissing thief," a woman who allegedly lured a man in with cries for help and unwanted kisses before stealing from him.
On April 9, the scheme was caught on camera near Bremerton. Nelson Dejuan was in the Lowe’s parking lot when he heard cries for help.
"A lady calling me, 'I need help, I need help.' So, I go over,” said Dejuan.
He could see she had a child in the car.
“When I get close to the door, the window, she grabbed me, and kissed me, kissed me,” said Dejuan.
"He's starting to block her, push himself away from her, tried to get away. Somewhere in that confusion, she was able to get a necklace off from around his neck, and the family says that necklace is worth $5,000,” said Kevin McCarty, the public information officer for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
After the necklace was ripped off Dejuan’s neck, the SUV took off. KCSO was able to get a surveillance image of the man who they believe to be the getaway driver.
One day after the incident, a similar scheme was reported nearby at a Costco parking lot in Silverdale.
“It was a woman this time, same circumstances, and she lost a necklace that was worth just under $1,000,” said McCarty. "It's not clear at this point if we have two people who are going around Puget Sound area doing this, or if this is a theft method that a lot of people are using."
What is clear for Dejuan is a sentimental piece of jewelry is gone. The gold cross he received as a birthday present is something he's worn every day for three decades. He hopes to see it again.
"I hope to. I hope to 'cause you know it has meaning to me,” Dejuan said.
The sheriff’s office says that since the surveillance video was released, a victim in Snohomish County and a law enforcement agency in Pierce County reached out and reported similar incidents.
Anyone with information should contact the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office at KCSOTips@kitsap.gov.
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