Man Posing as New Neighbor Bamboozled Old Lady, Stole Her Jewelry

A ruthless thief fooled an old woman by claiming to be her new neighbor, then stole her jewelry while she was getting him a bucket of hot, soapy water.

The 84-year-old woman reportedly told Will County deputies that a black sport utility vehicle pulled into the driveway of her home on Joliet’s east side about 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 and that the driver walked up to the front door.

“The victim stated that the male told her that he had purchased the house across the street and asked if he could get a bucket of hot, soapy water for unknown reasons,” police said. “The victim allowed the male into her residence where she began filling a bucket with hot water at the kitchen sink.”

The woman apparently filled bucket after bucket as the man repeatedly told her the water was not hot enough, according to police. She finally put an end to that by telling him “he either had to take the one or none at all.”

“The man then began speaking to her about ‘liking the chair in her living room,’ and asked if he could go into her living room,” police said. The woman refused his request and he departed.

It was then that the woman discovered several pieces of jewelry had been stolen out of her bedroom.

The man was about 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds. He had dark hair and light skin.