Milwaukee Police Department Office of Media and Communications
Dec. 11 - The Milwaukee Police Department warns residents of a group of thieves who are targeting elderly homeowners.
The thieves, who have primarily targeted south side neighborhoods, use a variety of tricks to convince elderly homeowners to let them into the house. Often one suspect tells the victim that he works for a utility company and needs to check pipes or wiring in the basement. When the victim is in the basement with that suspect a second enters the house and takes money, jewelry, or other small valuables. The suspects quietly leave, and the victim may not realize anything was taken for several days.
In other incidents the suspects lure the homeowner to the yard by asking about the lot line or a fence line. While the victim is outside, a second suspect comes in and takes valuables.
The Milwaukee Police Department recommends that residents use extra caution when greeting uninvited visitors. Utility workers will always show photo identification and provide a telephone number that the homeowner can call to verify their reason to be at the home. Keep doors locked and do not allow anyone in your home before you know who they are. Be aware of suspicious activity in your neighborhood, especially if you have an elderly neighbor. If you see anyone suspicious pay attention to their physical description and the description and license plate number of the car they are in and immediately report that information to police.
The suspects have been described as Hispanic or white males with a dark complexion between 20 and 40 years old. Some of the victims have seen the suspects in a cream color mid-size 4-door car.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call the Milwaukee Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at 414-935-7360.
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