Tuesday evening, Wilma Patterson of Greenville, Virginia opened her door to two strangers. The woman pulled her outside to discuss upcoming electrical work that would be done in her neighborhood. An hour after the unknown couple left, Wilma Patterson realized her home had been robbed.
While the woman distracted Wilma with electrical work, her partner entered the home, unnoticed, and stole thousands of dollars in cash. The closets were in disarray and every hiding spot had been searched. Wilma told reporters, “Every place I had money, he found it. He didn’t miss a penny.”
Wilma’s husband, Hansford, was only yards away while the man robbed their home. Hansford was working in their garden in the backyard and unfortunately did not hear or see anything unusual. Hansford commented, “I think they had been following us for a smart while. They seemed like they knew everything.” Angry that the robbery occurred right under his nose, he said, “I loaded my shotgun and I told the sheriff that if they came back, I would use it.”
Wilma added, “It’s a terrible feeling. I can’t describe it, it’s terrible.”
When strangers knock on your door, you should follow a few tips to prevent a home invasion and robbery.
- Install a peephole or use a window in your home that gives a clear view of your doorstep. You should know who is on the other side of the door before you open it.
- Ask for identification. A uniform does not guarantee that the person actually works for a company. You can also call the company to ensure that they sent someone to your home.
- Be alert – keep strangers within your sight.
- If you are unsure about strangers knocking on your door, talk to them outside. Some burglars pretend to be taking a survey or sharing a message when they really just want a look inside your home to see if there is anything of value to steal.
- Keep all your doors locked. One burglar might keep you distracted at the front door while the other burglar sneaks in through the backdoor. Keeping your doors locked and listening for strange noises could prevent your home from being robbed while you are home.
Following these few tips will hopefully prevent a home robbery like the one that happened to the Patterson couple in Greenville.
Sources:
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/100570444.html
