Offering to Help, Suspects Steal Elderly Victims' Valuables, Police Warn

St. Petersburg Police are warning elderly residents about two suspects posing as contractors who gain the confidence of homeowners and then steal their valuables.

In one of the most recently reported "confidence games," the pair convinces the victims to remove jewelry to clean their hands after one suspect "accidentally" sprays the victim with insecticide.

In earlier incidents, the suspects may have posed as city Water Department workers to gain access to the victims' houses and steal their belongings.

Detectives believe that these two suspects may be responsible for seven reported incidents in St. Petersburg in 2013.

Five occurred within a one mile area between 22 Avenue North and 34th Avenue North, from Park Street west to the Boca Ciega Bay.

The suspects may be driving a gray minivan. One man, who is middle-aged, speaks with a heavy accent. The other is in his late 20s or early 30s. (See the suspects' descriptions below.)

According to the St. Petersburg Police, here is how the most recent scams took place:

The two suspects approached the home of an elderly person and offered to do some work around the house, such as fence repair or pest control.

While discussing the job, one suspect claimed to see a spider on the wall and pulled out insect spray.

The suspect "accidentally" sprayed the victim's hands with the insecticide and then claimed that it has an acid base, which must be diluted with a milk product to avoid injury.

The suspects escorted the victim into the house and assisted in applying the
milk to the victim's hands, during which the suspects had the person remove any rings, watches or bracelets.

It is during this process that the jewelry was pocketed and one of the suspects  looked into other rooms for other valuables to steal.

• Both men are described as Hispanic, with one man being his late 20's to early 30's, 5'6" to 5'8" medium build, with black hair, slight mustache wearing a gray hat.
• The second suspect is described as being in his late 40's to early 50's, 5'6" to 5'8", heavy build with darker skin and heavy accent and does most of the talking. 
• They were last seen in a grayish or silver early 2000 model minivan, possibly Chrysler or Honda, with no rims and heavy tint. They have been seen in other vehicles in past cases.

Detectives are asking anyone who believes that he or she may have been contacted by these man to call the St. Petersburg Police or their local law enforcement agency if outside the city's jurisdiction.

Call Det. Karl Sauer at 727-893-4904 or the St. Petersburg Police at 727-893-7780.

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