A Sunday errand run turned into a nightmare for an elderly San Jose couple who lost a treasured heirloom in a highly coordinated robbery. The incident occurred last Sunday afternoon in the Almaden Plaza parking lot outside Costco. As the couple was finishing their grocery run and popped their tru nk, two women immediately approached and began loading the groceries into their car. The 86-year-old husband told the women in Spanish, “It’s OK, I can by myself. I don’t need help, thanks.” The women persisted, replying, “God says we have to help the elderly.” The encounter quickly became unsettling. The 75-year-old wife said one of the women started kissing her hand and even handed her $20. Scared by the aggressive interaction, the wife threw the money to the ground. “They were quick to speak about religion and said, ‘You remind me of my mom that just passed away,'” the victims’ daughter said. According to the couple, one of the women followed the husband as he got into his car and offered to give him a necklace. “They are putting on this gift around Dad’s neck, and as they do, they are somehow removing his chain,” their daughter said. The women managed to steal the husband’s 18-karat gold medallion, an heirloom given to him by the priest who married the couple more than 50 years ago. He was left holding a fake chain in its place. The ordeal did not end there. The couple reported that a second car, containing at least two men, pulled up behind them and temporarily blocked their vehicle from leaving the parking lot. Nearly a week later, the couple remains in shock. They reported the robbery to the San Jose Police Department and stated they have become skeptical of people offering help and will no longer accept the kindness of strangers. Shoppers at Almaden Plaza expressed concern over the brazen theft. “I think people need to be more aware of their surroundings and be less trusting, especially if they flatter you,” said Richard, a San Jose shopper. San Jose police have not yet responded to inquiries regarding whether any arrests have been made or if similar robberies have been reported in the area. ...read more read less