NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A woman is being sought for scamming two New York City seniors earlier this week with a jewelry ruse that involved her removing a victim’s necklace and replacing it with a fake, the NYPD said.
Both incidents occurred within hours of each other on Tuesday, with the first happening in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx at 11:11 a.m.
An 81-year-old woman was walking near the intersection of Bradford and Waterbury avenues when she was approached by the suspect, who asked for directions to the hospital.
The robber then gave the victim a hug, allegedly removing her necklace and replacing it with a fake.
Three and a half hours later, a 72-year-old man was walking in Queens near 72nd Street and 51st Road when he was approached by the suspect, police said.
In the same fashion, the thief allegedly removed the victim’s necklace and attempted to replace it with a fake.
Neither of the victims were injured, and in both instances the suspect fled the scene in a black SUV.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.