Flurry Of Jewelry Switch/Snatch Thefts Continues In San Ramon

An alarming uptick in the number of ongoing jewelry “swap” cases – in which a suspect invades a person’s space and adroitly switches bad jewelry for good – continued this week with at least two new cases despite a hopeful pronouncement of cessation by San Ramon PD.

We’ve been following similar cases since they first appeared in the 24/680 back in 2022, but took hope they had been curtailed by a recently announced arrest.

“We are pleased to report that no additional jewelry-swap theft cases have occurred since the arrest of Dartanian Manuti on 11/16/2024…” San Ramon Police Chief Denton Carlson recently wrote on the department’s Facebook Page.

And, well, we would have happily informed the chief just how unwise it is to proclaim a successful end to anything as – sure as shootin’ – someone is going to come along to rain on the parade.

Police have yet to confirm two most recent thefts – and an attempted theft – this week. As we have seen in recent months the “MO” for these crimes hasn’t changed much, with crooks rolling up on an elderly, prosperous looking individual – often walking alone – and lifting expensive jewelry from around their necks or wrists while praising them or offering up a “prayer.”

Gold jewelry appears to be the favored target, with a would-be thief discarding her prize after realizing it wasn’t actually gold during an attempted theft today, Dec. 5.

Especially hard hit have been members of the Indian community, who favor the wearing of gold pendants, bracelets or necklaces. Many victims have been approached and victimized while out walking, or even – as one surveillance video captured – crossing a crowded parking lot.

Some have speculated the thefts are the work of skilled crime crews specializing in the identification, theft and fencing of expensive jewelry. One thing remains clear, however, and that is the thieves don’t appear to be giving up anytime soon.