Strangers giving out free hugs could rob you, OCSD warns

Thieves are now using hugs as a way to rob people.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Matthew Parrish told KNX News’ Karen Adams this has been happening across Southern California.

“There are some people out there that are trying to do distractionary burglaries and what they'll try and do is come up to you, give you a hug, you know, maybe when you're at a store or just some location where you wouldn't be expecting to just have somebody come up to you and approach you and give you a hug,” he said.

Thieves do this to distract people while they take jewelry, a wallet, or even a purse, Parrish explained.

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“Their main goal is to try and get this property from you without you noticing,” Parrish said.

A couple was recently busted for using the tactic in Rancho Santa Margarita, he said. A man drove up to a house and blocked a driveway while a woman got out of the car, walked up to the homeowner with arms wide open for a hug, then tried to rip a gold chain off his neck.

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