Police: Man took $2,000 from 89-year-old woman

ALEXANDRIA, Ind. (WISH) — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man they say took $2,000 from an elderly woman at an Alexandria bank last Wednesday.

Officials are calling it a case of fraud, and they say the public can help them catch the suspect.

Detectives say security footage from the PNC bank branch shows a man inside the bank with the 89-year-old woman. She made a trip to the bank, withdrew the money and handed it over after the man came to her door and convinced her he had done some work on her roof and was owed the $2,000, according to police.

Madison County Lt. Darwin Dwiggins says the woman owed him nothing.

“To me, it’s one of the worst things you can do. Take advantage of somebody at that age,” Lt. Dwiggins said. “She’s obviously an older, fragile woman.”

Officials posted the photos to Facebook and asked the public for help identifying the suspect. Lt. Dwiggins said the post generated some helpful tips and the department now has a person of interest in the case, but they’re still working to gather more information.

“That’s just awful,” PNC customer Elizabeth Osborne said of the crime.

Osborne is hoping the suspect is caught quickly.

“That somebody wants to take advantage of somebody else like that, and take their hard earned money. That’s not right,” said Osborne.

Osborne said she always feels safe at the Alexandria PNC bank, but she knows crime can happen anywhere.

Now the sheriff’s department has a message for the public.

“If you’re not sure of the people coming into your house and offering to do work, call the police. Have us come out and check them,” Lt. Dwiggins said.

Lt. Dwiggins said the suspect could face charges of theft and fraud.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Caitlin Foster at 765-635-2234.