Jewelry Thief Stages De Beers Heist in Taipei, May Be Connected to Robbery in Japan

Two rings together estimated at over $370,000 were stolen from a De Beers store in Taipei on Tuesday, according to local media reports Wednesday. A student suspected of being involved in the jewelry heist been taken into custody and prohibited from leaving the country.

The Taipei robbery started with a young couple walking into the store. A salesperson told authorities that the female college student, 23, “walked in appearing affectionate and behaving very much like a couple” with the male suspect involved.

The woman told police investigators that she had been shopping alone when she was approached by the alleged thief. The alleged thief, she claimed, asked her to accompany him in picking out an engagement ring for his sister. The woman has no past record of criminal activity.

The male suspect is believed to be connected to another jewelry robbery that took place two weeks ago at a Tiffany store in Japan where four rings worth approximately $500,000 were stolen.

Police were able to connect the suspected man to the robbery in Japan by comparing security camera footage of the two incidents, which confirmed his physical resemblance. The criminal is said to be around 170 centimeters tall, about 40 years old and mildly balding.