Introduction to the Incident
The robbery of an 83-year-old man in Santa Ana has been linked to a distraction technique used by Romani travelers, police said Wednesday.
The victim was approached on the afternoon of June 4 in a Food4Less parking lot in Bristol Warner Marketplace by a woman who offered to help him carry groceries. Instead, she took his two gold chains valued at over $4,500 from his neck, according to Santa Ana police.
Details of the Robbery
“She was just 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 around his neck. As he put his head down for her to clasp the necklace, the woman removed his chains.
As the woman and her accomplice fled the scene in a white Mercedes SUV, surveillance video shows the victim attempting to stop the vehicle and a security guard trying to intervene. The driver did not stop, striking the victim and injuring his leg.
Investigation and Suspects
#SantaAnaPD #WantedWednesday On June 4, 2025, at approximately 12:20 p.m., officers responded to a robbery near 2100 South Bristol Street. This incident is consistent with a pattern observed in similar cases involving suspects known as Romani travelers, who typically approach… pic.twitter.com/lMHOm4Mtge
— SantaAnaPD (@SantaAnaPD) July 17, 2025
The victim said it was not the first time he’d been robbed, but it was the first time it happened in public.
The incident matches a pattern observed in similar cases involving suspects known as Romani travelers, police said Wednesday. The suspects typically approach victims by offering assistance, then place jewelry on them as a distraction to steal their belongings.
Santa Ana police said the woman is between 20 to 25 years old, seen wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.
## Call to Action
Anyone with information is asked to contact 714-245-8573.
## Conclusion
The Santa Ana robbery is a concerning incident that highlights the use of distraction techniques by suspects. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and help identify the suspects. It is essential for the public to be aware of these techniques and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
## FAQs
Q: What is the distraction technique used by Romani travelers?
A: The suspects typically approach victims by offering assistance, then place jewelry on them as a distraction to steal their belongings.
Q: What is the description of the suspect?
A: The woman is between 20 to 25 years old, seen wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.
Q: How can I report any information about the incident?
A: Anyone with information is asked to contact 714-245-8573.
