The Redmond Police Department is drawing attention to a string of jewelry thefts afflicting the community, with 14 separate incidents reported, including one robbery and two attempted robberies on Thursday. They have raised the possibility of an organized crime ring being behind these crimes, as reported by FOX13 Seattle.
Members of the local Asian Indian community, particularly the elderly, have been disproportionately targeted in these thefts. Some victims, including women, had their jewelry stolen through distraction methods by female suspects, who used cloths to slip off the jewelry and replace it with fakes, according to KIRO 7. This method of operation, along with a brazen approach, has sown a sense of fear in the community and a growing distrust of public safety.
"She was standing outside the house, literally eight feet away from the door," Haritha Sista, a Redmond resident whose mother-in-law fell victim to the thieves, told KIRO 7. The theft occurred swiftly and left the victim in a state of panic, and these incidents have made many question their sense of security in an area once deemed safe.
Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe advised the public to stay cautious, avoid strangers, and be aware of unsolicited offers involving jewelry or prayer, according to a statement obtained by KIRO 7. Meanwhile, Bellevue Police are investigating similar thefts; although not officially connecting them to the incidents in Redmond, they have noted a worrying pattern of suspects using force, as stated by Drew Anderson, Bellevue Police Department's public information officer, in an interview with KING 5.
Jaskaran Singh, a Bellevue resident and community leader, expressed his shock and concern, saying, "This is wrong and this shouldn't be happening," in a statement to KING 5, voicing the community’s fears of being unable to move freely and the constant sense of vigilance that has now seeped into everyday life.
Residents who encounter any individuals offering jewelry for sale or trade are encouraged by the police to contact them at 425-556-2500 for the Redmond incidents, as community efforts increase to identify and stop the culprits behind these unsettling thefts.
