LIVERMORE, Calif. — Livermore police arrested two people after a 65-year-old woman reported being tricked out of her gold jewelry in a distraction theft over the weekend.
Officers said the victim was approached Sunday afternoon on the 1600 block of North Vasco Road by a woman in a car who asked to pray together. During the interaction, the suspect allegedly held the victim’s hands and slipped replica “gold” jewelry onto her wrist. When the car drove away, the victim realized her real gold bracelet was missing.
Police later located the suspect vehicle near the 4000 block of Las Positas Road. Cristina Dinu, 24, of Baltimore, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, and Fernando Miclescu, 29, of Renton, Washington, the driver, was also taken into custody.
Authorities warned residents to stay alert, avoid close contact with strangers, and never allow unknown individuals to touch them or place items on them. Victims of similar scams are encouraged to report incidents to the Livermore Police Department and note details about the suspect vehicle and direction of travel.
