Polite thieves con elderly Carson woman

Under the guise of wanting to purchase a motor home, two men charmed their way into an elderly woman's West Carson City home Wednesday and made off with $200, according to police.

Carson Sheriff's Deputy Rick Encinas said the

89-year-old woman was at home in the 700 block of Minnesota Street about 6 p.m. Wednesday when she saw a black two-door full-sized sedan pull into her driveway. Through her window she watched as the two looked at a motor home in the driveway.

Encinas said the men knocked on the door and, through the screen, asked if her son was home, and said they were interested in buying the motor home. When she told them the motor home wasn't for sale, one man asked if they could use her bathroom.

The woman agreed, and while one kept her talking out in the living room the other disappeared into the bathroom, said Encinas.

During the conversation the man mentioned they live in South Lake Tahoe.

Moments later, the other man emerged and the two walked out of the house and got into their car, said Encinas.

"The younger one waved and told her his name was Robert and he enjoyed talking to her, then they backed out of the driveway and drove off," Encinas said.

When the woman walked into her kitchen, she noticed the light in her bedroom was on. Dresser drawers had been rifled through, her purse was on the floor, and $200 was missing.

Encinas said the woman described the perpetrators as African-American, in their mid- to late teens. They were well dressed and pleasant, said Encinas. The vehicle may have been a Chevrolet, but the woman was uncertain, he said.

"She was just being a nice sweet little old lady, but that was just kind of a bad thing for her," the deputy said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Secret Witness. Carson City Secret Witness will pay up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals committing crimes.

To leave an anonymous tip and become eligible for a reward, call 322-4900.