Gwinnett County police are warning people to look out for thieves targeting the elderly.
Investigators say there have been at least 11 incidents in the last few weeks.
In most of the cases, one crook knocks on the door, claiming to be building a fence and asking about the property line. While the homeowner is distracted, a second suspect then sneaks inside the house and steals jewelry.
Diana Bannister said that she hopes every senior citizen will heed her warning. The 65-year-old south Gwinnett County homeowner said that she lost nearly $4,000 in valuable jewels in a scam.
"I felt so violated. So violated. I couldn't have felt any worse," said Bannister.
She said that back in February, she got a knock at the door from a man impersonating a utility worker. Within a couple of minutes, he'd convinced her to accompany him to her backyard.
Bannister says the man kept her outside about 10 minutes, spoke briefly a couple of times in a foreign language on his two-way radio and then left shortly afterwards. Two hours later, Bannister's husband came home and realized what really happened.
"He opened the drawer to a jewelry that we had our good jewelry in and it was empty," said Bannister.
Gwinnett County Police Cpl Jake Smith says the same scam has been reported several times since Bannister's burglary, with two occurring this month alone.
Most victims say the man at the door had a Hispanic or Slavic accent. Sometimes they reported seeing a light-colored pickup truck.
Smith hopes that someone will call police with information about the suspects.
Authorities remind the public that thieves can use all kinds of ploys to get into your home, so make sure to ask for proper identification.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
FOX 5's Portia Bruner sits down with a Gwinnett County woman who says that she was robbed by a door-to-door scammer.
