A Providence, R.I. jeweler said two men tricked him into giving away over $3,000 in merchandise by altering a transaction on the Square app from a credit charge to a cash sale while distracting him with friendly banter. Donald Beohner, owner of Copacetic Rudely Elegant Jewelry, realized the fraud after a week when the payment did not appear in his account. On contacting Square he said he was shocked to learn that the transaction had been recorded as a “cash sale”. “I didn’t even know what that meant,” Beohner told WPRI News. “That’s when they told me — if someone hits ‘cash’ on the app … there’s no card being charged. It’s just Square saying, ‘Oh, they paid you cash.’” Beohner is working with police to identify the suspects and warns fellow jewelers to remain vigilant when using mobile payment systems.
Fake Utility Workers Who Killed Jeweler During Home Invasion Get Life
Two men who were convicted of murdering a jewelry-store owner and assaulting his wife during a home invasion in Rochester Hills, MI, last year were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Joshua Zuazo and Carlos Hernandez were sentenced on Dec. 9 for the first-degree felony murder and unlawful imprisonment of Hussein Murray, 72. The men gained entry to Murray’s home by posing as utility workers, according to a report by the local ABC affiliate.
Thief Returns Stolen Jewelry along with an Apology Note
A Shreveport, LA, jewelry-store owner experienced a surprising turn of events when three pieces of her jewelry, stolen by a man with a female accomplice, were returned the next day along with an apology note, delivered by two high school students. “Some guy told us to bring this to you,” Betsy Malone, owner of Antiques on Gladstone, recalled one the students saying, as they handed over a bag with the three necklaces inside. “He realized he shouldn’t have done this,” the student added. Malone deemed it a “Christmas miracle”, according to a Shreveport Bossier City Advocate account of the story published on Friday.
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Police release video of “prayer” gang targeting seniors
Las Vegas police are looking for a group of suspects targeting people in the elderly community. The suspects were captured on camera, and police released the video on Dec. 10 in hopes of identifying them. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan police, the suspects are approaching seniors, often in a vehicle, who are wearing expensive jewelry and asking for directions. After getting the help, the suspects, who had distinct “Eastern European accents”, offer a prayer in gratitude. During the prayer, they remove the victim’s jewelry, often without the victim’s awareness.
