Wilshire Detectives Investigate Fraudulent Burglary Scheme Against Elderly Victims

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, January 7, 1999
Burglary Investigation:
Fraudulent Scheme against Elderly Victims

Wilshire Area Burglary Detectives are currently investigating numerous burglary cases in which elderly victims are being targeted. The fraud began in the early part of 1998 in the Park La Brea area of Los Angeles however it is believed that the suspects are also operating in other parts of the City as well as many areas outside the City of Los Angeles.

The suspects, described as a young white female adult and a white male adult with Middle Eastern features, approached the residences of mainly elderly victims. Their MO would be to state that they had recently moved into the neighborhood and requested hot water to warm-up their baby bottle. The two suspects would enter the residence and one suspect would distract the victim while the other suspect stole property from another room. Although the fraudulent scheme varied slightly the MO was consistently the same.

Properties taken during the incidents were small items of jewelry and cash.

On January 6, 1999 at approximately 1200 hours, Wilshire Patrol Officers arrested two suspects that were involved in the above-described activity. Burglary Detectives are attempting to locate all victims that may have been victimized by the suspects. The case has not been presented to the District Attorney and no charges have been filed. Any victim or witness that can provide any information regarding this crime is requested to contact Wilshire Burglary Detectives at (213) 847-3867.

For Release 2:55 pm PST
January 7, 1999