BELLEVUE, Wash. — Bellevue police are warning residents about suspects targeting seniors in recent street thefts, stealing jewelry and watches off people after asking for help.
Two young suspects have been reported approaching older residents across Bellevue and asking for help with directions. When the resident helps the suspects, the female suspect offers jewelry or a hug and then attempts to rip jewelry off of the resident, police said. A similar incident has also been reported in Bellingham.
"We don't want people to be paranoid, but we want them to be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings," said Major Mark Tarantino of the Bellevue Police Department.
Jewelry stolen off of the residents is typically high value and the female suspect jumps into a waiting vehicle driven by the male suspect, police said.
"If you're suspicious of somebody or something, feel free to call 911. We'd rather they err on side of calling 911 and be sure everything is OK than be victim of a crime," Tarantino said.
On June 25, a 91-year-old man reported a theft in the 13800 block of Southeast 44th Street. The man said a female suspect approached him from a white SUV while he was checking his mail in the evening.
He told police that he thought the suspect was asking for directions and when he went to give her a handshake, the suspect yanked his Rolex watch off his wrist. The suspects drove off with the stolen item.
A few days earlier on June 19, police responded to a reported theft involving a 71-year-old woman. A female suspect yanked her Rolex watch off of her wrist after the suspects, in a white SUV, asked for directions near 124th Avenue Northeast.
On June 17, a 68-year-old woman and a 78-year-old man were stopped by two suspects in a black sedan near the corner of 108th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Second Place. The male driver, speaking a different language, gestured to the female passenger as if she was pregnant and they needed to get to the hospital, police said.
When the two older residents provided directions, the female passenger handed the residents jewelry and hugged them. The passenger then unzipped the woman’s jacket and ripped off her gold chain necklace.
Police said none of the victims were seriously injured, but they are asking all residents in Bellevue to use caution when they are approved by strangers in vehicles.
"Rest assured, Bellevue is a safe place, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be vigilant about what we're doing," said Tarantino.
Bellingham Police Department reported a similar crime happening on June 20 when an elderly woman was approached by a couple in a white SUV while walking alone in a neighborhood. They put costume jewelry on the woman and then stole her own jewelry when taking the costume pieces off her, police said.
Anyone with a similar incident is asked to contact the Bellingham Police Department at www.cob.org/tip or 360-7778-2611.