'Distraction burglar' cons seniors

A man posing as a county worker conned an elderly couple last Tuesday afternoon to gain access to their North Bellmore home and stole jewelry inside, police said.

This "distraction burglary" took place at a home on Carley Court at about 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. A man described to be in his 50s with a walkie-talkie on his belt and wearing a blue baseball cap with "county" on it approached an 88-year-old man who was in his garage, convincing the homeowner that he needed to go into his backyard to inspect a neighbor's fence, according to police. While he distracted the elderly man and his wife, another man who police believe was his cohort, entered their home and allegedly burglarized it, police said.

When the 81-year wife became suspicious and demanded to see the subject's identification, the man told her he would go get it, but never came back. It was then that she went into her bedroom and discovered that the jewelry was missing, according to Nassau County Police.

Police warn older adults and others throughout Nassau to be on the alert. They believe this incident is related to another distraction burglary that took place about an hour and a half later in Massapequa Park, as well as a failed attempted burglary in North Hempstead later in the day. Police are also investigating possible other the crimes that they believe may also be related.

The alleged "distracter" in the recent burglaries is described as in his mid- to late 50s, with a thin to average build, about 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 inches tall, wearing a blue jacket and the blue baseball cap with the word "county" in block letters, and with a walkie-talkie on his belt. No description of his alleged accomplice was provided.

Detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

In their warning to residents, police said, "The 'modus operandi' of these criminals is to portray a surveyor or a contractor, approach the homeowners at their residences and engage them in distracting conversation. The subject diverts the homeowners into their rear yards, providing a means for an accomplice to surreptitiously enter the home and commit a burglary."