In what appears to be a distraction theft, an 88 year-old Pompano Beach woman may have been the victim of a $75,000 loss.
In what is known as a distraction theft, two men claiming to be plumbers came to the woman’s door. Without realizing that the men were not plumbers, she allowed them inside.
While inside, the two reportedly stole $75,000 worth of jewelry.
The alleged victim reported to police that the men explained that they were doing plumbing work on the condominium building due to a leak on the roof and that they needed to enter her apartment to repair some damage from flooding.
One of the two men apparently kept the woman occupied in the kitchen while the other ransacked the house for valuables.
The only evidence aside from the statement of the alleged victim is some video surveillance showing the two men in the lobby of the building.
Crime scene technicians may be able to obtain fingerprints from within the apartment to match to those of anybody whose fingerprints may exist in a criminal database.
Additionally, the alleged victim may be able to recall the appearances of the two men.
If located, these men will likely be charged with burglary since they entered her apartment unlawfully and based upon deception. They will also face charges of grand theft in the second degree since the value of the property stolen was over $20,000 but less than $100,000.
Burglary of an occupied dwelling, which is the appropriate charge in this case, is a second-degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison with a guideline range of 21 months up to 15 years.
Grand theft in the second degree is a second-degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison.
Eric Matheny is a Miami grand theft lawyer and Broward grand theft lawyer.