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The 92-year-old woman is making a statement after “distracting thieves” stole a $40,000 gem around her neck in an organized crime plot that recently saw a Southern California spike.
There have been at least 140 distraction style thefts in the city this year alone, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, which held a press event earlier this week to warn people about fraud, particularly seniors who appear to be targets. However, that number can be higher due to unreported incidents.
In the case of Sylvia Kunliff, a resident of Los Angeles, she was taken to a burglar in Chinatown on April 14th.
“My girlfriend and I decided to have a hilarious day in Chinatown,” the 92-year-old told KTLA’s John Fenolio. “We go there from time to time.”
Cunliffe said she found a lingering woman when she and her friends returned to their car in the 800 block of North Broadway.
“I noticed this woman and she’s just wandering around,” she explained.
By the time she reached her car, the thief was on her.
“This body thrusts into my window and I began to try to reach my neck and I said, ‘What are you doing?'” Cunliffe recalls. “She says, ‘I have something for you,’ and I said, ‘Well, I really don’t want to buy anything, what are you selling?’ She said, ‘I don’t sell anything.’
At that moment, the man approached the passenger window and began pounding the glass, urging a friend of Cunliffe to call 911.
Sylvia Cunliffe saw him talk to KTLA on April 23, 2025. (LAPD) LA police are warning about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (LAPD) LA police are warning about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (LAPD) LA police are warning about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (LAPD) LA police are warning about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (KTLA) LA police warn about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (LAPD) LA police are warning about “distraction thieves” targeting elderly victims. (LAPD)
“On the other hand, I’m being semi-threwed by this woman trying to give me a gift,” the 92-year-old told KTLA.
The con man rushes through the moment before the police arrive, but it’s too late for Kanriff.
Authorities say the victims are usually approached by white thieves with Eastern European accents. These organized con artists tend to be male and female, and in some cases children are involved. Thieves are known to approach both on foot and on rental vehicles, and are prone to deflect victims by asking for directions, composing gems, and asking if they can pray together.
“Once engaged, they provide jewellery ‘gifts’, place fake gems around the victim’s neck, and steal real pieces at the same time,” officials told the community’s bulletin. “Many victims don’t know that their property was taken until the suspect leaves.”
Luckily, Cunliffe, who said the necklace was worth $40,000, was not injured. When asked if the necklace had sentimental value, she didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, that fits my ring,” she said. “That’s why I called KTLA.”
She gave her last advice again.
“Woman, if you’re out on your own, you have a swivel for your neck,” she said. “Gentlemen, protect your woman.”
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