Man, Woman Sought In $30K Theft Of Elderly Couple's Jewelry While Posing As Landscapers

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade Police are on the hunt for two people they believe committed a distraction burglary in Miami on May 29.

Both burglars pretended to be landscapers in order to get into the home of an elderly couple in the Kendall area, investigators said.

"They got me good because I opened the door for them," said one of the victims, Raquel Macia, 82.

Macia still feels embarrassed that she fell for the scam.

"I should have been brighter, but it's sad that they would do that," Macia said.

Macia said she and her 88-year-old husband, Enrique Macia, were home when the thieves showed up at their house on 7901 Camino Circle. She said there was tree trimming in the neighborhood, so she thought nothing of it when they asked the couple to come outside and show them areas that would be cut.

"They started showing me things, moving me that way, further away from the house," she said.

As she moved away from the house for a long period of time, Miami-Dade Police said one of the thieves, a male, moved into the home, stealing precious family heirlooms, like Macia's grandmother's engagement ring, her wedding band and her grandmother's precious sterling silver utensil set.

The total loss, about $30,000.

Macia said at one point she was ready to go back into the home and remembers the other burglar, a woman, asked her not to go inside as part of the ruse.

"She said no don't go," Macia said. "This is my first day working with him and he's going to fire me if he comes back and you're not with me."

Cecilia Ribas, the daughter of the victims, is angry.

"I have nothing nice to say about them," Ribas said. "I cannot imagine the type of person who takes advantage of two people like that."

Ribas said her parents willingly went outside of their home with the people. The couple was outside for about 20 minutes with the female suspect, when she got a text and left.

"[My mom] said it felt strange but she's trusting," Ribas said. "She's never imagined this would be done to her, but she trust them and went along with them."

Ribas said it wasn't until the following day when her mom realized the items were missing.

MDPD said the suspects are a man and woman between the ages of 40 and 60.

The man is said to be about 5 foot 4 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt and navy pants.

The woman is about 5 foot 2 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with short, black and uncombed hair. She was last seen in a white, V-neck tee shirt and colored pants.

Investigators released two sketches of the criminals and are asking the public for help in locating them.

Ribas wants them caught.

"I was so mad that anybody would do that to any elderly couple, that someone would take advantage of someone and the worst part is my mom feels like such a fool and there's nothing we can say or do to take that away," she said.

This incident comes a little over a month after another elderly Tamarac woman was targeted by a man and woman posing as city workers. Those burglars walked away with several rings and earrings, even forcing one ring off of the woman's hands.

As of now, investigators have not mentioned if these crimes are connected.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305)-471-TIPS (8477) or visit their website to give a tip.