ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Police in Bay Village and Rocky River are working together to catch the people responsible for multiple distraction burglaries during the month of December.
On December 19, two women were burglarized when intruders posed as family friends and utility workers to enter those homes.
Detectives are referring to the two burglaries as “distracted burglaries,” in which one person distracts the homeowner while another thief enters through an alternate door.
The latest victim lives in Rocky River and is 103-years-old.
The elderly homeowner on Beachcliff Boulevard told police a man came to her door last Thursday and acted like he knew her.
He then gave her a hug, pretended to know her family and made his way inside the home.
After the man left, the victim noticed multiple items missing from her home.
Police say elderly homeowners are often more trusting of people they don’t know, which makes them an easy target.
“So you should always be worried about when somebody’s not wearing a vest or have an ID with them,” Lieutenant Mark Palmer said, “If they’re not driving a vehicle that says they’re with a water company, gas company, electric company, be curious.”
On the same day, a similar situation took place in Bay Village.
A male told a woman he needed to enter her home to check her water line. While they were checking the water line, another thief burglarized the home.
If you have any information on either crime, you’re urged to contact the Rocky River Police Department or the Bay Village Police Department.
