The robbery of an 83-year-old Santa Ana man is linked to the distraction techniques used by Romani travelers, police said Wednesday.
The victim was approached in the Food 4 parking lot on Bristol Warner Marketplace on the afternoon of June 4 by a woman offering to help carry groceries. Instead, she took two gold chains from his neck, more than $4,500, according to Santa Ana police.
“She was too strong,” the victim told NBC Los Angeles on Friday.
Before she took his chains, the victim said the suspect placed a bracelet in his hand and then another one around his neck. The woman removed his chains as he held the necklace up and bowed his head for her.
Surveillance video shows the victim trying to stop the vehicle and security guards are trying to intervene when the woman and her accomplice escape the scene in a white Mercedes SUV. The driver did not stop, attacking the victim and injured his leg.
#santaanapd #wantedwednesday On June 4th, 2025, around 12:20pm, officers responded to a robbery near 2100 South Bristol Street. This incident coincides with the patterns observed in similar cases involving suspects known as Romani travelers. pic.twitter.com/lmhom4mtge
– SantaNapd (@santanapd) July 17, 2025
The victim said it wasn’t the first time he had been stolen, but it was the first time he had happened publicly.
The incident coincides with patterns observed in similar cases, including the suspect known as a Romani traveler, police said Wednesday. Suspects usually approach the victim by providing assistance, then place the jewels as a distraction to steal their belongings.
Santa Ana police said the woman was between 20 and 25 years old and saw her wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information will be asked to contact 714-245-8573.
