Man Distracted While House Burglarized
A 91-year-old East Franklin Township man’s house was burglarized last Thursday, May 7.
The burglar knocked at the rear door. When the victim answered, the burglar informed him that he was conducting work up over the hill and wanted the victim to come outside and show him his property lines. The victim left the residence into the back yard. The burglar continued talking to the victim, and stated he would cut down some trees in his yard for free and shred the trees into mulch. He then told the victim he could sell the mulch for a profit.
However, while the burglar had the victim outside, the burglar made a call on a portable radio and then left the property. When the victim returned inside his residence, he observed that a small safe located in the back bedroom had been pried open with an unknown tool. The victim discovered that approximately $6,000 in cash in various denominations was stolen from inside the safe. Nothing else was taken from inside the residence.
The burglar was driving a silver or gray SUV (unknown make or model). Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 724-543-2011.
State Police are also advising area residents to use caution when encountering a situation similar to this event. Residents are urged to ask for ID and write down registration and vehicle information. If anything seems suspicious, contact the State Police immediately.