Cops: Elderly Victims Targeted in Glen Cove Homes

Glen Cove Police are warning the elderly about distraction burglars operating in the city.

The warning comes after an elderly couple claim $50,000 went missing from their bedroom after letting a man posing as a worker enter their home Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Police believe one of the burglars also targeted the home of another elderly couple nearby.

Police say that on Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m., an uninvited man knocked on the door of a home on Wolfle Street. When the resident, 85, answered the door, the man walked into the house and led her to the back door. At that point, the woman’s husband, 79, woke up from a nap and joined his wife and the unknown man at the back door.

The man, who was wearing a walkie-talkie, said he needed to cut some trees in their yard. The husband pointed out that there were no trees in his yard. The man then started talking on his walkie talkie, and a second man entered the house, also wearing a walkie-talkie. Both men then walked the husband into the backyard, and continued talking with him. After a few minutes, the second man entered the house while the first man remained in the yard with the husband, police say.

Shortly after, the first man walked into the house accompanied by the husband. When they approached the front of the house, the husband noticed a silver or gray four-door pickup truck backing out of his driveway. The pickup is described as having a cover on the back bed of the truck, according to police.

The first man then proceeded to walk out of the house toward the pickup truck, which was now driving south on Wolfle Street, police say.

The husband then checked his bedroom and noticed his safe containing his life savings of more than $50,000 was missing, according to police.

The first man is described as approximately 5’11 with a mustache, and wearing a baseball cap. The second man is described as heavy set, with short dark hair, about 5’7. He was wearing dark clothing, police say.

Approximately 15 minutes before the Wolfle Street incident, police say a male fitting the description of the 5’11 man entered the residence of another elderly couple about a block away on First Street. Once inside that house, the male confronted a man, 93, saying he was there to pick up a table. The couple’s home health aide emerged from another room and confronted the man. The aide then called the couple’s daughter, and the man left the house.

Anyone with information is urged to call Glen Cove Police at 516-320-7929 or leave information on the Glen Cove Police e-mail at tips@cityofglencoveny.org. All calls will remain confidential.

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