Man Accused Of Trying To Sell Fake Diamond In Seal Beach For $9,500

SEAL BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Authorities said a man accused of trying to sell a fake diamond in Seal Beach for $9,500 has been arrested.

Police said that when Earl Howard, 59, tried to sell the diamond to a Seal Beach business, the company's employee contacted police.

"He was selecting his target audience by coming to the city of Seal Beach and trying to sell the diamond here," Seal Beach Police Department Detective Mariana Martinez said.

Police said officers were suspicious and set up an undercover sting with the West County Task Force and Westminster police.

"We attempted to be interested buyers," Martinez said.

That's when an undercover officer met Howard at a jewelry store in the Westminster Mall to verify the diamond's value, police said.

"Once the jeweler attempted to verify the validity of the stone, the suspect took the stone from the jeweler," the detective said.

Police said Howard stormed off, but detectives followed him.

"That's when we realized in fact that not only did he have a fake diamond but he had additional fake jewelry in his vehicle," Martinez said.

Howard was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and other charges.

"There's no doubt that he was specifically preying on people," Martinez said.

Police believe there may be more victims and asked that those with more information contact Seal Beach police.