Live, Local, Late Breaking news, weather, and sportsSheriff's investigators search for gold thief

Sheriff's investigators search for gold thief

Sheriff's Investigators warn gold buying businesses about two con men in South Georgia targeting them.

A couple of con men scammed two gold buying businesses in Albany and Valdosta out of $17,000.

And the Albany job was caught on video. Dougherty County Sheriff's Investigators say this guy was a good con man, pulling one of the oldest tricks in the book. The bait and switch, but this time with a bag full of gold chains and watches.

Watch this. Surveillance video of a crook at work. Did you see it. He just pulled a con that cost an Albany business $8000.

Dougherty County Sheriff's Office Captain Craig Dodd said "They did something we refer to as a bait and switch. Or it's an old con. Been used for many, many years."

About 1:30 Wednesday afternoon two men pulled into Albany Gold and Silver Buyers on North Slappey in a burgundy or purple Kia Optima. One stayed in the car, while this guy walked in with a bag full of gold jewelry to sell.

The clerk checks all 8 of the necklaces and watches to make sure they are real. Then they put the jewelry back in his bag, and haggled over the price. During that the con picks up the bag, slips it in his pocket. Seconds later he pulls a bag out of his pocket and back up on the counter. But it was not the same bag.

Dodd said "The gentleman thinking it was the same bag did not retest the gold."

Now the con agreed to sell the gold for $8000. But this was what the business really got. Eight pieces of gold plate, which looked exactly like the jewelry they had just tested.

Investigators say the two men in that Kia pulled the same con in Valdosta at "We Buy Gold" about 11 that same morning, taking them for $9000. And Florida officials say they are suspects in a similar theft there recently.

Sheriff's Investigators are warning gold buyers these con men are working this area, and be on the lookout for the bait and switch.

Dodd said "If they put it back in their pocket, and they take it back out, check it again. Go through your whole procedure again."

Take a look at that car they were driving, a burgundy Kia. Investigators say this guy is a good con man. A cool professional thief, who cost two South Georgia businesses $17,000 Wednesday.

You saw the con man, but Sheriff's Investigators say one distinguishing feature that store owners might make him more recognizable, the con man has a mouth full of gold. Big gold bridgework in his teeth.

Sheriff's Investigators think the two con men have moved on, but probably are still working in the Southeast somewhere, and could come back to South Georgia again.

If you have any information about this crime, call the Dougherty County Sheriff's Investigators at 431-3222.

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