NEW CASTLE, Del. (WPVI) -- Police in New Castle County are trying to track down the bandits who got away with more than $100,000 worth of valuables from the homes of two senior residents.
"He was a very convincing thief," said Barbara Alexander, victim.
92-year-old Alexander, of Newark, says she had no reason to believe the person, who presented himself as a landscaper working in the neighborhood, was up to no good.
However she started thinking something was wrong after, she says, the man tried to keep her and her 85-year-old husband Thomas in the backyard.
Alexander says he kept asking them endless questions about the property lines.
Her suspicions were confirmed about 15 minutes later when the man finally left and she went back inside.
"When I got to the bedroom door, I realized we'd been taken. The rug was out of place and the chair cushion was moved," said Alexander.
That's when she started realizing that thousands of dollars worth of cash and jewelry were gone.
Alexander says these thieves knew precisely what they wanted.
"I must've had $75 or $100 in change in quarters. They didn't take it. They must've wanted cash and jewelry and they got it," she said.
Then, investigators say, a near identical theft occurred just a few hours later on Ashley Court in Wilmington.
Authorities say in that case the victim was 74 years old and the thieves got away with approximately $100,000 worth of cash and jewelry.
Meantime, the Alexanders say they are heartbroken, that there are people out there who look at the elderly as nothing more than easy targets.
"I just couldn't believe that they would do that to someone our age. I don't know how you feel, it's a terrible feeling," said Alexander.
The victims told police the decoy suspect is described as a Asian or Italian male, approximately 50 years of age, 5'8" tall and 170 pounds. He got away in a newer model SUV.
Anyone with information is urged to contact New Castle County Police at 302-573-2800 or online at www.nccpd.com.