August 16, 2022 News Release

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department would like to inform the public about jewelry thefts targeting senior citizens that is occurring in the Pearl City and Waipahu areas.

There have been reports of unknown middle eastern females approaching senior citizens under different ruses to get close to them so that she can steal their jewelry. In one case, the female approached an elderly male in the parking lot of the Waipahu CVS store and tried to sell him jewelry. The female told the male that he needed to remove his watch in order to try on some rings. The male complied with her request and removed his watch and gave it to her. When the male decided to not purchase the rings, she placed his watch in a bag along with some of her rings and informed him that the rings were a gift. The male later realized that the female took his watch and returned a fake watch instead.

In another case, a female approached an elderly male in the parking lot of the Pearl City Walmart store and convinced him to buy a necklace. The female placed the necklace around his neck then took his necklace that he was originally wearing. The male later realized that his necklace had been stolen.

In the most recent case, a female approached an elderly female in the parking lot of the Pearl City Don Quijote store and asked if she could pray for her sick mother. The female then placed a ring in the elderly female’s hand and began to pray. The female then tried to remove a ring that the elderly female was wearing. The female then placed a bracelet onto the elderly female’s arm and a necklace around her neck then left. The elderly female later noticed that her gold necklace and pendant was missing.

Please do not purchase any jewelry from strangers on the streets. Purchases should only be made through reputable dealers or stores. Do not let strangers place jewelry items on you.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300. The public may now send anonymous web tips to www.honolulucrimestoppers.org or via the P3 Tips app.