《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Tourists sought after diamond heist

‘IT IS OUTRAGEOUS’: Police said that three Chinese suspects used a ‘divert and switch’ ploy, replacing the diamond with a cubic zirconia while staff were distracted

By Jason Pan / Staff reporter

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Thieves stole a 3.2 carat diamond, valued at NT$4.2 million （US$128,323） from the Taiwan Jewelery and Gem Fair （臺灣珠寶首飾展） being held at Taipei World Trade Center （TWTC） Exhibition Hall this weekend.

The theft occurred on Friday morning, the opening day of the fair.

The thieves came from China, entering Taiwan on tourist visas, the police said, adding that it was too late to pursue the suspects because the three women had already boarded a flight to Shanghai that afternoon.

Yesterday evening, media reports from China said that the three suspects were being held at a Shanghai airport by Chinese public security officers, but the report could not be verified.

The diamond belonged to Yo Chuan （友銓企業） jewelers, whose owner Hsu Yuan-chang （許原彰） said: “I thought we would be safe in Taiwan, but then this happens. It is outrageous.”

Taipei police forwarded the case to the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s （CIB） Cross-Strait Affairs Department on Friday to contact their counterparts at China’s public security and police agencies.

They have issued arrest warrants for three female suspects: Zhang Ling （張玲）, 40; Xiong Guijuan （熊桂娟）, 38; and Len Zhulan （冷菊蘭）, 31.

Police officials said that the three used a “divert and switch” ploy, replacing the diamond with a cubic zirconia while staff were distracted.

Hsu said he stood just outside the company’s booth, leaving two of his staff inside.

At about 10:30am, two of the suspects entered the booth, Hsu said.

They allegedly told the staff that one of them was getting married and wanted to purchase a diamond wedding ring. The 3.2 carat diamond was presented for closer inspection. The women then allegedly also asked for the diamond’s certification paper.

Their alleged accomplice entered the booth shortly after and looked at the display while asking the staff questions.

While both staff were busy, one of the women allegedly switched the 3.2 carat diamond with the cubic zirconia.

When the staff alerted security guards of the theft, all exits were locked down, but the suspects had already departed in a taxi to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport for a 2:30pm flight to Shanghai.

Organizers said the event, which is scheduled to run through Monday, is Taiwan’s premier gem trade fair.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES