July 02--St. Charles police asked residents to look out for what they called a diamond scam, in which a man and a woman targeted another woman at a grocery store and tricked her into giving them $20,000 -- as well as her wedding and engagement rings-- for "worthless" diamonds.
The incident could be in connection with an organized group of traveling diamond scammers across the country, who specifically target Hispanic and Asian women in retail establishments, police said in a news release.
The victim was approached about 3 p.m. June 1 inside a Jewel-Osco store on Prairie Street by a man who identified himself as Oscar Lopez, police said. Lopez told the victim he found a diamond at the cleaning job where he was employed.
Lopez then asked the victim if she could give him a ride to the nearby Meijer store on South Randall Road. Another woman in the store, who police said was working with Lopez, said she overheard the conversation and needed a ride to Meijer as well, police said.
The victim then drove the man and woman to Meijer, where Lopez showed the women five diamonds and three gold coins, police said. The woman allegedly working with Lopez said she would take the items into Meijer to be appraised by a friend.
When the woman returned to the vehicle, she said the largest diamond was valued at $10,000, police said. She then re-entered the Meijer, returned to the vehicle and said she "sold" the diamond for that value. The victim then dropped the woman off across the street.
The victim then drove Lopez to her house and paid him $20,000 for the remaining diamonds, and traded her wedding and engagement rings for a fifth diamond and coin, police said.
The victim had the diamonds appraised and found they were worthless, police said.
Lopez is described by police as about 40 years old and 5'7", with a heavy build and black curly hair. The woman is described as 35 to 40 years old, 5'2", 110 pounds with black hair.
meltagouri@tribune.com
