Motorists in Orange County are being warned about two different types of scams that are targeting drivers. One of these scams involves a dangerous crash-and-grab style robbery, which is similar to an incident that was caught on camera on the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles in late October. The California Highway Patrol has reported another crash-and-grab robbery that took place on November 14 at the Beach Boulevard onramp to the northbound 405 Freeway near the Huntington Beach-Westminster border.
During the staged collision, two suspect vehicles were involved—a maroon Infiniti SUV and a white Ford Explorer. The suspects, dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks, approached the victim’s vehicle, robbed the victim at gunpoint of cash and jewelry, and fled the scene in the white Ford Explorer. This type of violent robbery seems to be targeting individuals connected to the jewelry industry.
In a separate type of scam, the Irvine Police Department is investigating cases where victims respond to a wanted ad on Facebook Marketplace. The ad asks for drivers or individuals willing to lend their vehicles. In some instances, victims are told they will be delivering a large sum of cash to a location in Bakersfield. The suspects get into the victim’s vehicle, offer them a substantial amount of money to drive to Bakersfield, and then carjack the victim once they are inside the car and certain they are not being followed.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Facebook Marketplace scam to contact the Irvine Police Department. For those who witnessed the crash-and-grab incident or have any information, the California Highway Patrol asks that they contact the Border Division Investigative Services or Investigator Joaquin Gill.
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