New video released of latest Redmond jewelry heist

The Redmond Police Department urges community members to remain vigilant following a series of 14 jewelry thefts in Redmond, including one robbery and two attempted robberies on September 19, 2024.

The suspects are believed to be part of an organized crime group specifically… pic.twitter.com/rdJT8moL6S

— RedmondWaPD (@RedmondWaPD) September 21, 2024

Police in Redmond have released a new video they hope will help capture suspects in more than a dozen jewelry robberies.

The latest heist took place in front of a home on a cul-de-sac on 146^th N.E., about a quarter mile north of Grass Lawn Park.

Investigators believe the suspects are part of a Romanian organized-crime ring that is targeting elderly East-Indian residents.

They say in most of the recent robberies, the suspects were females wearing long dresses who distract their victims as they steal their valuable jewelry.

Authorities say the suspects are usually driving a rented SUV and approach victims as they walk on sidewalks or in parking lots.  A male driver is typically behind the wheel, while one or more female passengers first ask for directions, then offer to trade jewelry.

Investigators say the women distract their victims by engaging them in conversation, as they place costume jewelry on them.  They either swap out the worthless jewelry for the victim’s valuables or take the jewelry by force.

In the Ring doorbell camera video just released, a woman is seen exiting the front-passenger seat of a black SUV.  She is then joined by another woman who gets out of the rear seat.

Police believe the organized crime group is responsible for at least 14 jewelry thefts.  The most recent occurred Thursday, including a robbery and two attempted robberies.

So far, no victims have been hurt.

“Other agencies have assisted with Redmond police to determine that this is a ring of thieves,” Jill Green, Public Information Officer of the Redmond Police, told MyNorthwest.

Green said the thieves are targeting affluent neighborhoods and looking for expensive jewelry.

“Sometimes they offer to trade jewelry, and if the subject doesn’t agree, they’ll forcibly take it,” Green said.

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She says the victims are typically seniors because they are easy targets.

“We’re asking people to leave their expensive jewelry at home when they take a walk around the neighborhood,” Green said.

Police Chief Darrell Lowe advises against walking alone.

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A previous robbery was also captured on surveillance video in the Woodbridge neighborhood. The footage shows a black SUV approaching a woman standing alone. After a brief conversation, a person from the back seat exits the vehicle and forcibly removes the woman’s necklace before fleeing.

Although there is a pattern among the ethnicity of the victims, Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe does not believe the group is specifically targeting the East-Indian community.

“These are not hate crimes, but rather crimes of opportunity where the thieves travel around affluent neighborhoods and search for potentially vulnerable victims,” Lowe said in a statement released by the Redmond Police Department. “We encourage community members to be aware of their surroundings when walking alone outside and avoid wearing valuables.”

Police are advising people taking walks to travel in groups if possible, and leave jewelry and valuables at home. They also recommend using caution if you’re approached by strangers in vehicles and to not accept gifts from them.

Anyone approached by strangers offering to trade or sell jewelry is asked to contact law enforcement immediately. Police are also asking anyone who recognizes suspects in the video to contact the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.

Tom Brock is a weekend editor, reporter and anchor for KIRO Newsradio.  Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.