String Of Thefts Target Victims With Jewelry In Falls Church: Police

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Victims with jewelry are being targeted in a series of thefts around the Eden Center, according to City of Falls Church Police.

According to police, the thefts happened at or around the Eden Center, 6751-6799 Wilson Boulevard. Police say the suspects approach victims in ways like trying to sell fake jewelry, asking for directions, asking to pray with them or asking for a hug. When the suspects are close enough, they place fake jewelry on the victims while taking the real victims' jewelry.

The suspects typically flee by vehicle, and the victims do not typically realize their jewelry was stolen until after the suspects flee. The suspects work in groups and are described as a Middle Eastern man with one or two Middle Eastern women driving newer Mercedes SUVs.

Some of the recent incidents include:

Larceny, Wilson Blvd, September 30, 5:30 PM, two unknown suspects driving a blue Ford Explorer distracted the victim and substituted fake jewelry for real. Suspects described as: Middle Eastern male, 45-50 YOA, 5 foot 9, 180 pounds, beard, wearing a gray jacket and blue jeans, Middle Eastern female, 42-45 YOA, 200 pounds and wearing a white scarf around her head.

Larceny, Roosevelt Blvd, September 25, 1:18 PM, two females distracted a male standing at a bus stop and substituted fake jewelry for real. They left the area in a Mercedes SUV being driven by a bearded male.

Larceny, Wilson Blvd, July 25, 1:39 PM, the victim was approached by a white SUV while standing near a supermarket. A female passenger, described as a while female in her 40s with long black hair and wearing a white shirt, engaged the victim in conversation. After they left, the victim realized that his gold necklace had been substituted with fake jewelry. The driver was described as a male with medium skin, in his mid 30s with black hair and facial hair and wearing a white shirt.

Anyone with information about the incidents can contact City of Falls Church Police at 703-241-5053 or police@fallschurchva.gov.