Sheriff's Office Nabs Distraction Theft Suspect
FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The Broward Sheriff's Office believes a Deerfield Beach man they've charged in distraction theft may be part of ring that preys on elderly residents.
Matthew Jordan, 24, is facing charges of burglary and grand theft.
On September 16th, an accomplice of Jordan lured and 88-year old Deerfield Beach man outside his home by telling him there was a water main leak in his backyard, according to the sheriff's office. When the man went to look, Jordan slipped in and reportedly stole $2,000 in jewelry.
A witness was able to describe the white GMC pickup, including the license tag, which the men drove away in. The sheriff's office said a check of the tag showed it belonged to Jordan's mother.
The following day, the sheriff's office received word of a second distraction theft attempt.
Paul Knapp, 75, said a young man came to his door and told him they were spraying for spiders behind his townhome and asked to check inside the residence for spider webs.
Knapp said he became suspicious and called the sheriff's office after the man tried to get him to walk up the street to see a spider-infested tree. Witnesses described seeing them driving off in a white Dodge pickup.
Sheriff's detectives said they don't Jordan and his accomplice were responsible responsible for the two crimes, though they may be acting in concert with other individuals.
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