AURORA | Police say an elderly woman was the victim of a “blessing scam” in the parking lot of an Aurora grocery store, losing a valuable necklace to thieves, one of which has been arrested.
Police say Carolina Pavel, 29, of Denver, was arrested Thursday and faces charges of theft and crimes against an at-risk person.
The jewelry theft happened Aug. 25 in the parking lot of Ocean Pacific grocery store when Pavel and an unidentified female accomplice approached an elderly woman, Aurora police spokesperson Agent Kristopher McDowell said in a statement.
The targeted woman does not speak English, police said.
“After several attempts to sell the woman jewelry, a cheap necklace was placed onto the victim’s neck, and her expensive silver necklace was removed and stolen,” McDowell said.
Police say the distraction scheme is often blended with acts by robbers who pretend to bless, or provide some kind of kind assurance or a gift to their victims.
The details of the allegations against Pavel were not released.
“The victim did not notice the theft until she returned home from the market,” McDowell said.
It’s unclear how police identified Pavel as the suspect, but they report she was arrested and booked into the city’s jail. Details about an accomplice were not released.
“The blessing scam traditionally involves a distraction and jewelry-swap theft, in which offenders use a purported gift, blessing, or piece of jewelry to distract victims while stealing the genuine jewelry they are already wearing,” Aurora police said in a social media post several days ago.
Police said to be wary of these behaviors by strangers:
• Offenders approach the victim, often in a friendly or helpful manner, or seeking assistance of some kind from the victim.
• They may offer the victim a “gift,” blessing, or piece of jewelry.
• The offender may physically place the fake jewelry on the victim, such as around their neck, wrist, or hand.
• While the victim is distracted by the gift, conversation, or physical contact, the offender secretly removes the victim’s genuine jewelry.
• The victim leaves, believing they have received a gift, only later to discover that their valuable jewelry has been replaced with inexpensive or worthless costume jewelry.
• This scam primarily targets senior and foreign-language-speaking communities, but anyone can be victimized by this swindle.
Police recommend that people refuse to allow a stranger to place jewelry or other items on them, and be cautious of unsolicited gifts, blessings, or physical contact from strangers.
Police said anyone with information about this or other “blessing scam” crimes can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000, police said.
How pathetic to trick less-aware elderly individuals.
Is the suspect married? Employed?
Jewelry sold to pawn shops?
Relative reported the.ft? A Sting operation seems too unlikely to succeed.
Police do not wanto reveal their tactics?
Since wife and I own no jewelry, no risk.