Gold necklace stolen from Tyngsborough woman's neck while she was out walking

Police in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, are asking for the public's help in locating a suspect vehicle believed to have been involved in the theft of a gold necklace from around the neck of a 77-year-old woman who was out for her daily walk on Monday afternoon.

Tyngsborough police said the woman told officers that she was walking on the sidewalk on Caroline Way between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Monday then a black SUV pulled up alongside her. The SUV was driven by a man between 30-40 years old with a female passenger of similar age.

The woman in the passenger seat allegedly motioned for the victim to approach the SUV and when she did, the woman grabbed the victim by the back of her head and pulled her toward the vehicle, ripping the gold necklace from the victim's neck.

The suspect then put a junk jewelry necklace around the victim's neck as the suspects' vehicle sped away from the scene.

The victim was not injured and did not seek medical attention, police said. She and her family were too afraid to go on camera Wednesday night with the suspects still out there, but they explained the importance of the necklace, which is described as a gold rope chain with a pendant containing a family photograph.

"The picture is of her parents from Cambodia, that is the last picture of her parents."

Tyngsborough police released home surveillance video on Tuesday showing a vehicle of interest in the investigation. The police chief says they believe it is a Jeep Compass.

They are now asking anyone in the area of Caroline Way to check their home surveillance footage for the timeframe between 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Monday and to contact them if they see anything they think might be relevant.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage is asked to call 978-649-7504 or email Detective Bethany Bonczar at bbonczar@tyngsboroughma.gov.

In nearby Lowell, there was a strikingly similar crime on Saturday morning. Lowell police say an elderly woman was walking on Sanders Avenue when a couple approached her.

Police say the female passenger put a junk necklace on her, while at the same time stealing the woman's necklace before taking off.

Tyngsborough police said they are aware of the similar incident in Lowell, and that their detectives are working with their detectives to try and hammer out if the two incidents are connected.

Back in the Tyngsborough neighborhood, neighbors tell NBC10 Boston that this robbery has rocked their sense of safety.

"Right now we have to be very cautious, we can't trust the people around us," one resident said.

Meanwhile, the family is just hoping the sole picture of the victim's parents will be returned soon.