The firm was bilked last Thursday when the store manager, Haig Kanjian, accepted a "certified" check in that amount and handed over the ring. The check proved a phony and police were notified yesterday.
According to Detective Sgt. Charles Fischer and Detective Conrad Leber, a young man entered the Wiss store late in September, said he had $2,000 to spend for a ring and was shown several. He selected a pear-shaped ring worth $2,475 but said he wanted to discuss it with his fiance and father.
An appointment was made for last Thursday when the young man was to appear in the store with his father, but Kanjian received a call from a man who identified himself as the "father" and said he was sending his "son" to the store with a certified check to purchase the ring.
Later in the day, the young man arrived, presented the check and was given the ring. The check, printed by a Newark bank, carried a stamped date and certification. Detectives said the imprint was made by "a 50-cent rubber stamp that could be purchased anywhere."
Police withheld the name used in the signature, pending further investigation.