With a friend like that...

The Commerce Police Department responded to the man’s Crestwood Circle residence where he explained that some time back someone stole two pieces of jewelry, a ring and a necklace, that had been in his family a long time. They were valued at $6,800, according to the report.

The victim said the woman contacted him, offering to sell him his own necklace, valued at $1,600, for $300. The man haggled the price down to $100, whereupon he called police.

He told police the woman had given him back the necklace, but he had yet to pay her the $100, but he said he wanted to pay her.

The officer suggested that he not pay her. Instead, he said, she should be arrested.

That didn’t suit the victim, who said the woman is his “friend.” Besides, he said, if she did not get the money, he would never see the ring again, according to the report, which also indicated he'd bailed her out of jail on a previous occasion after she'd stolen his truck and attempted to flee the police.

Police officers witnessed the man’s payment to the woman — to make sure he was not harmed — but did not make an arrest.