For the past few months, several agencies have received several complaints from the public regarding theft by false pretense on local freeways.

These complaints were of Eastern Europeans stopping on the side of the freeway and waiving their hands to get assistance from the motoring public.

Once people stopped to assist them, these individuals offered fake jewelry in exchange for cash.

Yesterday afternoon, CHP Officer Lenart from the Santa Ana area stopped to assist two disabled vehicles on I-5, north of SR-55.

During his investigation, Officer Lenart determined that a group of Eastern Europeans were able to stop a driver and convince him to purchase fake jewelry for the amount of $1000.

A male individual was arrested for theft by false pretense, in which a person voluntary turns over property as a result of a promise or representation that turns out to be false.

Residents from Merced have also shared information on this type of case occurring in Merced County.