Authorities Thursday announced the arrests of three people accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry in a “distraction scheme” that targeted real estate open houses in Orange County.
Nino Siganoff, 33, Valerie Siganoff, 36, and Barbara Adams, 29, all of Los Angeles were arrested Tuesday and booked on suspicion of felony burglary, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported.
“Investigators believe the suspects started running the scheme in October,” said Jaimee Blashaw of the sheriff’s department. “(The) male suspect would distract the real estate agent, while two female suspects would search other areas of the home and steal items.”
Investigators have tied the suspects to the theft of about $20,000 worth of items from homes in Ladera Ranch, San Clemente and Anaheim, Blashaw said. In most cases, the items burglarized were pieces of jewelry.
Authorities recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen items and a ledger outlining scheduled open houses in Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, Blashaw said.
“While a portion of the recovered property has been returned to some of the victims, the property reunification process is ongoing,” Blashaw said. “Sheriff’s investigators also believe there are potentially more victims of this scheme.”
Authorities released photos of recovered items, and urged possible victims to call investigators at (949) 206-6100. Anyone with additional information who would like to submit an anonymous tip can contact Crime Stoppers at (855_ TIP-OCCS, or via the website www.occrimestoppers.org.
–City News Service