Arlington police are monitoring organized crime rings that are reportedly involved in a series of thefts and scams around the area.

The thieves are known to be operating particularly around Safeway, Walmart, the Pilot Travel Center, and off-ramps along the northbound Interstate 5 corridor. They often enter businesses in large groups to distract and confuse staff, which allows numerous thefts to happen at once.

Officers say that sometimes the group poses as stranded motorists trying to sell gold jewelry, which turns out to be fake.

The Arlington Police Department (APD) is warning residents and businesses to be on the lookout for an organized crime ring targeting businesses and residents.