Norman Police Say Woman Using Child to Steal from Seniors

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma – Norman police are alerting residents of a possible con game where a woman uses a little girl to target and steal from the elderly.

Since June, officers have received at least five separate reports where a female suspect reportedly goes to the home of a victim and asks if her young daughter can get a drink of water.

"What, with the temperature outside, most people are sympathetic. To add a wrinkle to the ploy she will have a 5 to 6-year-old female child with her and say, 'Oh, my child needs to use the restroom,'" said Norman Police Capt. Tom Easley.

Once inside, the suspect swipes the victim's medications, jewelry, personal checks or any other items she can readily conceal.

"She has even gone and written some false checks throughout Norman and other jurisdictions," said Capt. Easley.

Tresha and Willard Brock of Norman had jewelry stolen by the con-woman.

"She was so convincing. She said the plumbing in her house was out and the little girl needed to use the bathroom. Of course we said 'yes,'" the Brocks said.

The thief stopped by the Brock household more than once, before the couple realized they had been robbed of anything.

"She stole more than jewelry. She stole my emotions, my security. I don't want this to happen to anyone else, but I also really want that little girl to stop getting victimized," Tresha Brock said. "She simply kept crying 'I want to go home. I want to go home.' She never said 'Let's go home.' She said 'I want to go home.'"

No arrest has been made yet, but police believe they have a solid identification on the woman.

The suspect is described as a blonde, white female, approximately 28 to 35 years old, 5' "5, and weighs approximately 190 pounds. Victims have seen her driving a white SUV.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 366-7867.