Man, 24, arrested for stealing $27,000 worth of jewellery while posing as buyer

A 24-year-old man has been arrested for stealing jewellery worth $27,000 during a meetup.

The police said in a statement that they received a report from the victim on July 23 at about 6.40pm.

The 24-year-old man had allegedly posed as a legitimate buyer and met the victim to complete the transaction.

However, after meeting the victim, he took the jewellery and fled.

Officers established the identity of the man and arrested him the following day (July 24).

The stolen jewellery was recovered.

The man will be charged on Wednesday (July 26) with theft.

The offence carries a jail term of up to three years and a fine.

The police advise members of the public to take the following precautions when meeting others to exchange goods:

• Always meet in a well-lit, public place, with high footfall. Avoid secluded or private areas.

• If possible, bring a friend or family member with you to the meeting. Having an extra person can deter potential criminals and provide an added layer of safety.

• Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables or large sums of money to the meeting. Only bring the exact amount needed for the transaction; and 

• If you are the seller, avoid openly displaying expensive items before the transaction is complete. For transactions involving expensive goods, consider meeting at a location with surveillance cameras.