Over $100,000 worth of vintage jewelry was stolen in a sly heist at OC Diamond Estate Jewelry in Orange, Orange County. The owner, Samy Soliman, is now seeking assistance to locate the culprits behind this theft which was caught on camera on September 17, in the middle of the business day. According to ABC7, the suspects, a man and a woman, posed as customers and managed to swipe a box of jewelry worth between $120,000 and $150,000.
The theft occurred around 3:30 p.m. and was recorded on the store's surveillance system. Soliman recalled the incident, saying, "They were well-dressed, and they really have expensive jewelry on them", indicating no initial suspicion of the couple's intent. "Then my phone rang," he told KTLA. During that brief moment, the female suspect placed a jewelry box on a seat before it was stealthily concealed by her male accomplice.
The couple executed a switch to ensure their plan's success, with the woman engaging Soliman in conversation while the man hid the box in his pants and covered it with his T-shirt. Soliman recounted to CBS Los Angeles, "While she's talking to me, blocking my vision, he was taking the box from the seat, putting it into his underwear." The duo then left the store as if nothing had occurred. It wasn't until closing time that Soliman realized a box of 84 vintage rings was missing.
OC Diamond Estate Jewelry has been in business for over 60 years, and Soliman has never witnessed such a brazen act. "I feel like this is an invasion of property that people work hard for," he stated. Soliman is resolved in his beliefs that justice will be served, as per CBS Los Angeles, "They're going to get caught," he said. "One way or another. If not this time, next time."
