HOUSTON -- Houston Police released composite sketches Wednesday of two suspects who have been preying on the elderly by duping them into believing they are utility workers. And one of the cons ended with an elderly man’s death.
At least two incidents in north Houston are linked to the same suspect. He is described as a white male with medium brown hair, in his late 20s to early 30s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall. He was wearing glasses, a plaid jacket or shirt and had a silver ball piercing underneath his lip.
He is the suspect who approached Teofil Klodzinski, 89, at his home near Little York and the North Freeway back in December. He convinced the retiree that he needed to get into his backyard to look show him where electrical power lines would be rerouted and buried. Klodzinski’s wife joined them in the backyard.
The suspect asked them to stay outside while he retrieved a part from his truck. Police say that when the man didn’t come back the the Klodzinskis went inside to find that several items, including jewelry, had been stolen. Mrs. Klodzinski says her husband became so upset that he suffered a fatal heart attack that same day.
On January 31st, a man matching the same description pulled off the same con at a home near Antoine and Hwy 290. The victim was an elderly woman.
“There might be others also involved and they might be taking turns as to who is going to distract them in the backyard while they’re in the front trying to make entry and steal the property,” said Houston Police officer Edith Maldonado.
Houston Police released a second composite sketch of a suspect who posed as a Centerpoint worker to rob a woman in southeast Houston near Palmfield and Old Galveston Road on January 7th.
The suspect is described only as an Hispanic or white male in his late 40s to early 50s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall. Police say he has stained teeth, is believed to be a smoker, and had a very unkempt appearance.
A 75-year-old woman says the man approached her in her front yard, said he neede dot talk to her about re-routing power lines in her backyard. When the woman went back inside her house her purse and its contents had been dumped on the floor. Jewelry and cash were also missing.
If you recognize either of the suspects in the composite sketches you are asked to call Houston Police or Crimestoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
