Watch CBS News

Cops: Smooth Talking Burglars Made-Off With LI Couple's Life Savings

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for two men who have been preying on the elderly in their own homes.

Miguel Angrisono, 79, said a man came to her door in Glen Cove on Tuesday afternoon and convinced his 85-year-old wife to let him inside.

"He said hi grandpa how are you? I said, 'okay, how are you? What can I do for you?'" Angrisono said.

The man came into the house saying he was a neighbor and needed Angrisono to go to the backyard to talk about yardwork.

As CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported, the first man kept Angrisono in the backyard while another man came into the home and started talking to his wife.

Both suspects had walkie-talkies hanging around their necks and would communicate with each other.

Within minutes they were gone, the last thing the Angrisonos saw was a grey or silver pick-up truck backing out of his driveway.

Angrisono then checked his bedroom closet and noticed that a safe containing his life savings of $50,000 was gone.

"So I go outside and told my wife the safe is gone. They stole the safe," Angrisono said.

Just 15 minutes earlier, one block away, police say one of the men got into the home of another elderly couple claiming he was there to pick up a table. Luckily a home health aide confronted the man.

The suspects are described as a white male, 5' 11" with a mustache, wearing a black baseball cap, and a black coat. The second suspect has been described as having a darker complexion, he is around 5'7" or 5'8" with short black hair.

Angrisono's daughter Grace Cipriano said she feels pity for the burglars.

"They may have shattered belongings, but they are not going to shatter who we are. We'll stand strong," she said.

Angrisono retired a few years ago after working as a custodian for more than 30-years.

Police say burglars rely on acting very familiar and friendly with their victims, and that it is key to make sure you don't open your door to anyone you don't know.

 

 

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.