Law enforcement warns of hugging robbers in Southern California

(KTLA) – While two people have been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in Orange County earlier this month, authorities are warning Southern Californians to be vigilant of approaching strangers who appear to want a hug.  

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, on July 2 after a victim reported the robbery attempt.  

The man told authorities that a male driver parked his vehicle in front of his driveway while a female passenger exited the suspect car, approached him with arms out for a hug and tried to forcibly rob him of a gold chain around his neck.  

“Based on the description provided by the victim, it was later determined that the same suspects were possibly involved in similar incidents in Orange County and surrounding counties,” an OCSD news release posted to social media stated.  

A day later, members of OCSD’s South Directed Enforcement team, along with assistance from investigators at the Rancho Santa Margarita Station, located the two suspects and arrested them.

A third suspect from an unrelated robbery was also arrested, authorities said, but they did not provide information on that incident.  

“A subsequent search of the suspects’ vehicles yielded approximately fifty pieces of jewelry belonging to different victims,” the release noted.  

Officials are urging people to remain “cautious of strangers approaching you for any reason.”