Atherton police and the Sheriff’s Office are warning of a “concerning trend” in jewelry theft scams targeting elderly residents

In separate statements, the Atherton Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office warned residents about jewelry theft scams.

The specific incident mentioned in both news releases involved an Atherton woman whose jewelry was stolen in an unincorporated area of ​​West Menlo Park.

An elderly Atherton resident was walking in unincorporated West Menlo Park on Oct. 14 when a man and woman in a car approached her and asked her for directions. After the Atherton resident gave the two instructions, the couple’s wife got out of the car and hugged the Atherton woman. After the couple drove away, the Atherton woman realized her valuable diamond necklace, given to her by her late husband, had been stolen.

Atherton Police Chief Steve McCulley said in his statement that “criminals are increasingly targeting individuals, particularly seniors, and using fraudulent tactics to steal valuable items.”

McCulley said these scams often take place in public places and involve feigned emergencies or distractions, such as asking for directions.

A similar incident occurred in 2023 when thieves ripped a $6,000 necklace from a woman’s neck on Holbrook Lane in Atherton.

McCulley recommends residents be cautious when approaching strangers in public, not allow strangers into their homes without proper identification and avoid displaying valuable jewelry in public.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office also recommends maintaining a safe distance from strangers and avoiding physical contact.

The Sheriff’s Office press release said the agency is actively investigating the theft in West Menlo Park and will use “all available resources” to track down the jewelry thieves.

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