Man poses as maintenance worker, robs elderly woman in Brooklyn apartment

A man tricked a 71-year-old Brooklyn woman into letting him inside her home before stealing cash and jewelry, police said.
July 18, 2025
NYPD police line, crime scene.
NYPD police line, crime scene.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A 71-year-old woman was robbed inside her Brooklyn home on Friday afternoon after a man posing as a maintenance worker tricked his way into her apartment, police said.

The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. near the intersection of 84th Street and 4th Avenue. According to police, the woman was entering her residence with the aid of a walker when an unidentified man approached and offered assistance.

Shortly after she got inside, the same man knocked on her door claiming he had come to fix a water leak. Once inside, he instructed the woman to repeatedly turn the water faucet on and off while he remained in the hallway.

During this time, the suspect removed $230 in cash from the victim’s purse. He then went into her bedroom and stole jewelry valued at approximately $900 before fleeing the apartment on foot, heading southbound on 4th Avenue.

No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as a male with a light complexion, heavy build, and partially bald. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, dark-colored pants, and white sneakers.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.