Police have arrested a man who allegedly attempted to steal a diamond ring and a rare Rolex watch from two jewelry stores Friday afternoon in San Francisco’s Union Square.
At about 4 p.m., two people attempted to steal the ring and watch. One man, Shiji Chen, was arrested and later identified as the suspect in a similar theft of a Rolex watch in Costa Mesa earlier this month, according to police.
The second male suspect was gone when officers arrived. Police described him only as being a well-dressed Asian man, who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has black hair.
There may also have been two other accomplices who were seen is Costa Mesa.
When Chen was taken into custody he had money from Asia and Europe, police said. He also allegedly had numerous international identifications and documents indicating travel throughout the U.S.
He was booked on attempted grand theft, attempted burglary and conspiracy.
The Police Department is asking anyone who may have been the victim of a similar theft to contact Inspector VanKoll at the Economic Crimes Unit at (415) 553-1521.
