Elderly Poland woman robbed

The woman discovered her purse containing credit cards missing the next morning.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

POLAND — An 86-year-old Poland-Struthers Road woman says her home was robbed by a man who said he was there to make home repairs.

About 8 p.m. Tuesday, a man, described as white with brown hair, 40 to 45 years old, 6 feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds, knocked on her door. When the homeowner opened the door, the man told her that a tree branch had fallen onto her house, causing damage.

He said that he lived in the neighborhood and he would help with repairs because he’s a skilled roofer, township Chief Brian Goodin said.

The woman, who didn’t recognize the man, let him in and she saw him move her telephone. He then asked for a garbage bag, which the woman provided.

The man went into two bedrooms in the house and returned to the kitchen with the empty garbage bag, telling her he was finished with the work and that she owed him $30.

The woman told the man that she didn’t have any money and that she wasn’t going to pay him because he hadn’t done any work, the chief said.

The man left and when the victim checked the bedrooms, she found a strong box and dresser drawers open and rummaged through. She went to her phone to call police but couldn’t get a dial tone. The phone had been unplugged.

She called out to her neighbors, who telephoned police. On Wednesday morning, the woman discovered that her purse, containing credit cards, was missing.

Goodin urged people to exercise caution when someone comes to their door offering to do unsolicited repair work.

“If you need work done, you’re going to make the initial contact,” he said.

If someone does come to the door that you don’t know, Goodin advises people, particularly elderly residents living alone, not to open the door. Ask through the door what the person wants and call police if it seems suspicious, the chief said.