Distraction Burglars Targeting Elderly Residents 
Several distraction burglaries have occurred since September in the city of Torrance. Suspects have been targeting elderly victims; distracting them by telling them work needs to be performed on their home. The suspects then go into the residence and steal items from the home.
On Monday November 18th, an elderly couple was contacted by a suspect that told them he needed to work on a water system to the rear of the residence and asked to go to the rear yard. The couple took the suspect to the rear yard and another suspect entered the home and removed property.
The suspect was described as white, possibly Italian male, 5’10”-6’0” tall, heavy set with dark hair and a short beard.
On Sunday November 3rd, a suspect approached an elderly resident and said he was working on a neighbor’s residence and needed access to the rear yard. The resident took the suspect to the rear yard and another suspect went into the residence and removed property.
The suspect was described as a light skinned Italian male wearing a white shirt.
On Monday September 16th a suspect contacted an elderly resident and asked to do yard work on the rear yard. When the resident declined the suspect asked about an RV that was parked in the driveway. The resident took the suspect through the RV and the suspect left in a white Nissan Xterra SUV.
Later that day the resident noticed items were removed from the residence. The suspect was described as White or Hispanic male adult (Italian or Mexican), 30-35 years of age, black, short hair and mustache, wearing a white, long sleeve jumpsuit. There have been two other distraction burglaries that are similar to this one.
See the following bulletin that was put out on Nixle on October 24th for further:
http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/Documents/13-090_PUBLIC__TREE_TRIMMER_459R.pdf
See the following article in the Daily Breeze regarding the incident:
If a person approaches your residence and asks to check the rear yard or they want to perform work on your residence and you do not think it is legitimate, call the police.
If you have any information on these crimes please call the Torrance Police Department at 310-328-3456.
“SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
Call the Torrance police Department
EMERGENCY 9-1-1
Non-Emergency 310-328-3456
Forwarded By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
John Neu
Chief of Police
Torrance Police Department
Address/Location
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 310-328-3456