Police: Suspect Has Been Scamming, Stealing From Elderly Brooklyn Residents
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Wednesday were asking the public to help them find a suspect who burglarized the homes of two Brighton Beach, Brooklyn residents – both of them over 80 years old.
Police said the suspect followed the residents into their apartment buildings, telling them he is their upstairs neighbor and that water from his apartment was leaking into theirs, police said.
The suspect then tells the victims that he wants to inspect the damage and will pay for it, police said.
He asks the victims for change for a $100 bill so he can give them $50 for the damage, then goes through their apartments taking jewelry and money, police said.
No one has been injured in the incidents.
The first victim was an 89-year-old who was targeted around 3 p.m. this past Dec. 24. Police said the suspect took about $2,200, gold rings, a necklace with a pendant, and a bracelet.
The second incident happened around 2 p.m. this past Sunday. The 88-year-old victim lost about $170, a necklace, a ring and earrings.
The suspect was described as a white male who was last seen wearing sunglasses, a ski hat, and a waist-length jacket. He may speak Russian, police said.
Police have released a surveillance video clip of the suspect from the second incident.
Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
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