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LAPD Issues Warning Amid Rise In Gold Jewelry Thefts

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Police are warning Los Angeles residents to be cautious after a rash of robberies involving gold jewelry.
 

According to Los Angeles police, in the past couple of weeks, four elderly women have been robbed of their gold jewelry in Little Tokyo alone.

The rise in gold thefts comes amid a rise in value. Gold is now at $1,800 per ounce.

"The crooks know that the price is high and they see it as an easy way to make a few dollars," LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith told Rachel Kim, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9.

At LAPD's Newton division, there have been over 100 street robberies of gold chains and other jewelry this year as opposed to a couple dozen in years past.

Police are also warning merchants to step up security and warning everyone against flaunting their gold.

"Anybody who is vulnerable, anybody who they think they can beat in a foot race or in a fist fight, they see those people as someone that's an easier target," Smith added. "We're hoping that we can use our surveillance cameras, we can get some tips from the community. We're really trying to catch some of these guys and put them behind bars."

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