Stolen necklace

Years ago you'd wear 3 earrings in each ear, rows of gold chains, it was a kind of fashion I suppose, never heard of people having it ripped off them. Times are hard for a lot of people, others wanting their next fix and others wanting to build their own home in Romania. It's a sad World these days. I liked the world where people worked for what they got not stealing it from others.

Chrisdee wrote:Years ago you'd wear 3 earrings in each ear, rows of gold chains, it was a kind of fashion I suppose, never heard of people having it ripped off them. Times are hard for a lot of people, others wanting their next fix and others wanting to build their own home in Romania. It's a sad World these days. I liked the world where people worked for what they got not stealing it from others.

That makes you sound like you were dressing like Mr T!!!!

People left the jewellery alone then, because they were too busy stealing VW badges!

Babsie wrote:Following on from the incident when my necklace was stolen
Just to reiterate for those who did not read it, I had just got back from shopping and was about to get out of the car, when this woman hurled herself onto me, as if I was a good friend, hugged me and stole my necklace.
Outcome is, I went to Guardia Civil in Almoradi, which is where you go if you live in Quesada to report a crime.
I had typed out my statement and used Google translate to help the police. You must take an interpreter with you.
They were very thorough, showed me photos of suspects and I picked her out very easily even though she was wearing heavy makeup when I saw her, but none in the photograph. The police told me she had done this several times in the area, and whilst I was there people were waiting to make statement as it had happened to them.
I took the police report to my insurance company, even though the necklace was irreplaceable as was nearly 100 years old. I thought maybe I would get another momento to make me feel better. It came to just a few hundred pounds.
However, the insurance company informed me that because it was ONLY theft and I wasn't punched, knifed, or hurt in anyway, they could not honour the payment!!!!! It just doesn't make sense! They said there was no insurance company that would insure me just for theft outside my home! Please somebody prove them wrong, and if you have had experience similar to this and were paid out, please tell me the name of your insurance company so that I can inform my company that in fact, yes, there are honourable insurance companies out there. I don't want to name and shame them, as they were very good when we had a leak in our utility room last year, but I was astounded that they would not pay out a few hundred for my loss. Thank you if you have any information you think would be useful. Babsie

Hi Babsie,

Very sorry to hear this has happened to you. I agree with Lockey57 in relation to insurance companies not wanting to pay out if they can wriggle out of it. One of my clients in Ireland is an insurance broker. I have known him for over 25 years. He said he regularly has to make embarrassing calls to his customers on behalf of insurance companies to tell them their claim is not going to be paid for one reason or another. He said people should probably consider insurance as only being for disastrous things like flooding, burglary and fire and forget about the lesser value stuff. The insurance companies actively discourage small claims by having a €200-€300 (or more) excess plus adding the fear that your policy may increase substantially on your next renewal which makes proceeding with smaller claims fruitless.

Can the police not arrest this person if she is known to them and has been positively identified? This unfortunate story could have a happy ending if she is apprehended quickly and is still in possession of the stolen item. Apart from the sentimental value of your necklace, this thief has stolen something else and that is your peace of mind. I am sure you will be a lot more wary of your surroundings in future and a lot more cynical of these type of people. You will probably experience feelings of being cheated and frustration that there is not some immediate remediation. (Police and insurance) It’s almost like you have been mugged twice. Once by this woman and again by the insurance company. No matter what the circumstances, stealing is always wrong.

It’s also sad to think that if you had noticed the chain was missing immediately and your husband gave chase and tackled the thief, he would probably be charged with assault. There seems to be no justice sometimes.

I hope you get sorted soon and this has a positive ending.

Best wishes.

John & Angie.

So sorry to hear about this, the only positive I can think of is that the police know her and will possibly know of where she has pawned the items in the past, you can then go to the various shops, see if they have it and buy it back.
I know it’s a long shot but hopefully you will find it.
Sending you best wishes and positive thoughts.
Dawn

Thank you so.much John, Angie and Dawn for your thoughtful replies ehich ate much appreciayed. My husband couldnt give chase as he is recovering from major surgery and only noticed the necklace was missing when I btought the shopping in. You are right in saying its made me nervous though. I see her face rigjt mine with a big grin plasted in make up, probably as a disguise. I will nevet forgey the feeling of rmptiness either when my husband noticed it missing and I put my hands to my throat and it wasn't there, the feeling of disbelief and how stupid I was not yo realise it was a prank. Those things wont go away. I eould like to add one more thing to make people aware. I belong to U3A and a policeman came anx gave a talk. He gave us an app for our phone called Alert which is supposed to go right through to them and you touch the appropiate link. I touched theft and its a chatline so I told them ehat happened. Cut long story short they said dome one would be over, I am still waiting. They wrote down my addtesd incorrectly three times in the chat. They told me to come to Almoradi but must have interpretor, thats the only bit they got right, another chat said Rojales! I asked a policeman at Almoradi about Alert when I was thete snd he said its a waste of time and doesnt work as goes through to Alicante,! Should always phone 112 for emergency. So thete you go , so much gor the information given by local police!!! Thought important to pass on

Are the Almoradi guardia going to take any action against the identified woman?
What you are now looking for is peace of mind.
Any action would help !!!
Hopefully they will keep in touch with you.

Sometimes on Facebook they publish pictures of stolen jewellery which theyvey recovered from homes of the thieves and if you recognise anything you contact them.The thieves wouldn't sell anywhere locally I wouldn't have thought. When Ive sold jewellery, the person had always photocopied the items, taken my ID and they have to keep if for a few weeks before they can sell it incase it comes up somehow as stolen.