Suspect wanted in harassment of Collier County seniors for their jewelry

COLLIER COUNTY, Florida. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk warns the public about distraction thieves who attack elderly people for their jewelry.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is investigating recent distraction thefts.

Deputies say these thieves usually use a ruse to get close to elderly people, usually in grocery store parking lots. During the encounter, the suspects discreetly remove the victim’s watch or jewelry.

The detectives released this composite drawing of a person they would like to speak to in connection with these thefts.

The victims told investigators that they were approached by a man accompanied by one or two women, who then started talking to them.

According to the CCSO, during these conversations, the suspects used various tricks to distract the victims, such as asking for directions and then asking the victim to enter the information into their phone. While the victims were entering information, the thieves simultaneously removed the jewelry from the victim.

In some cases, the suspects are said to have asked victims to pray with them for a sick family member. After praying, the suspects gave the victims jewels in gratitude.
By wearing fake jewelry on the victims, the suspects managed to remove the personal jewelry of the victims.

Anyone with information about the identity of the person in the composite sketch or about these thefts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call the Crime Squad at 1-800- 780-TIPS (8477).

Sheriff Rambosk offers the following safety tips:

• Walking in groups or couples
• Do not wear valuable jewelry when shopping / hide it under your clothes.
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Look for vehicles or people that may be following you or seem out of place
• Report unusual activity to law enforcement