Police investigating after elderly couple burglarized by suspect - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Police investigating after elderly couple burglarized by suspects posing as contractors

ALBANY, N.Y. - Albany Police are investigating a burglary on Woodlawn Avenue in which the suspects targeted an elderly couple and posed as contractors.

Officers responded to a home on Woodlawn Avenue Thursday afternoon for a report of a burglary. When officers arrived, a couple in their 80s stated that at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, a man came to their front door and told them that he was there to check the water. They told police that they let the man inside and that he went to the basement.

While he was in the basement with the female resident, a second suspect approached her husband while he continued to rake leaves in the yard. The second suspect began to engage the husband in conversation in order to distract him. While distracted, a third suspect entered the home through the front door and stole several jewelry items from a bedroom.

All three suspects then fled on Woodlawn Avenue.

The Albany Police would like to remind residents of the following safety tips in regard to deception burglaries:

• Do not allow uninvited repair workers into your home, especially if they want to fix something that you have not noticed is a problem.
• If someone claims to be at your home for an inspection, ask for identification and contact their company prior to allowing them into your home.
• Keep doors locked when possible to prevent anyone from entering your home while you are outside the house.
• Call 911 immediately if someone attempts to enter your home or you suspect someone is attempting a burglary scam.
• Watch for people offering services in your community and make sure to write down a description of the individuals and their vehicle, including a license plate number, if possible.
• Always research companies before hiring to ensure that they are legitimate firms with a good reputation