Redmond police urge people not to go alone after series of robberies

REDMOND, Washington – Redmond police are warning of an organized crime gang targeting passersby in Redmond.

Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe advises people not to walk alone and not to wear expensive jewelry when they go for a walk.

The police chief's message came after a series of crimes.

Surveillance video from two weeks ago in Redmond's Woodbridge neighborhood. The video shows a black SUV driving next to a woman standing alone. Someone in the car then appears to call her over.

After speaking to the woman for about 20 seconds, another person from the back seat gets out of the car and starts grabbing the woman and tries to take a necklace from her. The woman can be heard refusing. Eventually, the robber succeeds, gets in the car and drives away.

Police say it's one of five similar crimes that have occurred across Redmond since late August. Robbers try to trade jewelry that turns out to be fake or simply steal the jewelry, police say.

“We believe the individuals involved in our recent crimes are connected to a larger transnational organized crime group,” said Chief Lowe. “They may have a connection to Romania, simply based on their modus operandi and prior crimes in other jurisdictions.”

According to police, all of the victims were elderly people from East India.

“Yes, it's a crime of opportunity. The victims are similar, but they don't specifically target the Asian population,” said Police Chief Lowe. “They target people who are alone and wearing expensive jewelry.”

No arrests were made.

The chief said they had increased patrols in the areas where these crimes had occurred.
He also said that the police department plans to set up a public forum with the East Indian community to address some of the crimes committed and provide further tips on how to protect themselves from this organized crime gang.