Elderly Women Targeted In Northwest Raleigh Walk-In Thefts

Police describe the suspects as two young black women who pretend that they are having a crisis -- that they are pregnant or their car broke down -- and need to use a telephone. Once inside the home, police said the suspects snatch purses.

Police said the women are targeting elderly women who live alone, and believe they are responsible for thefts at seven homes in northwest Raleigh in the past three weeks.

Neighbors said the thieves hit one home in Deblyn Park twice during that time.

"It seems like people are pretty bold. If you look like you know what you are doing, people aren't suspicious of it," said resident David Lamm.

"We assume they are in the neighborhood looking around, staking things out, trying to find out who lives by themselves and who doesn't," said Lt. Richard Grayson of the Raleigh Police Department.

The thefts have sparked renewed interest in Deblyn Park's community watch program.