Deputies say Seminole home broke in after woman was lured in by man posing as YMCA worker

SEMINOL COUNTY, Florida. – An elderly woman’s home near Winter Park was burglarized after she allowed someone claiming to work for the YMCA to enter her backyard, the sheriff’s office said.

The burglary occurred around 5 p.m. Thursday on Eastbrook Boulevard near Winter Park in unincorporated Seminole County, investigators said.

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Deputies said they responded to the location after receiving a call from the victim’s daughter, Theresa Hood, who reported several items stolen from her 91-year-old mother’s home.

“Obviously, she is devastated. It’s heartbreaking,” Hood told News 6. “She worked as a waitress until she was 79 because of the items she had to pass on to her grandchildren and children.”

The incident report shows that the victim was outside on his watering shed when an unidentified black-haired woman in a hoodie and jeans drove up to her in a white four-door sedan.

The woman told the victim that she worked at an abandoned YMCA located at 3510 Tourney Drive, deputies said. She told Ian that her backyard was in line with the YMCA lot boundary and she needed to evaluate it, the report continues.

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According to the report, the victim then walked the woman across the left side of her lot, watching her inspect the tree separating the two lots, and making several cell phone calls over the next 20-30 minutes. The victim also reported that the woman was in her field of vision throughout the entire conversation.

“They talked about what they were going to do and the parking they were going to do in the driveway,” Hood said. “And she has a tree that the YMCA has neglected that is destroying her fence, and they were going to tear down that tree.”

Hood added that the organization’s spokesperson seemed legitimate as she had to call the YMCA several times about code violations related to abandoned property.

As the unidentified woman left, the victim entered her home to find several items misplaced and missing from her bedroom, closets, and purse, totaling between $750 and $5,000, according to the report.

The deputies said that since several valuable items were also left intact, they searched the house in case the victim had simply lost them, but found no missing items. The victim added that while she did not see the second person with the suspected burglar, she believes the woman could have been used as a distraction when someone else broke into her home and stole from her, the report said.

Deputies said they later contacted the owner of the abandoned YMCA, who said he was in the business of selling and demolishing the property. A YMCA spokesperson told News 6 that they did not send anyone from their organization to the victim’s home.

“Thank you for getting in touch. Y did not send a representative to Eastbrook Boulevard in Winter Park to discuss Y’s property in Eastbrook. We are saddened to learn that someone has misrepresented the YMCA and our thoughts are with the resident who was the victim. It is standard practice for our employees and representatives to verify that they are affiliated with the YMCA when interacting with community neighbors.”

Mary Ilarraza, Communications Manager, Central Florida YMCA

Deputies are currently investigating home burglary and grand theft between $750 and $5,000.

“This is a violation. We have everything for her safety and protection. It’s all been amplified,” Hood said. “She’s not going to be a victim again. She doesn’t let it break her, but we, her family and friends, are devastated for her.”

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office also gave advice on how to prevent others from falling victim to the burglary.

When someone comes to your door posing as a gas or water company agent, a salesman, a charity representative, a municipal worker, a construction worker or gardener, or someone who needs your help, the sheriff’s office has said that you must do the following: actions.

  • Don’t let a stranger into your home unless you’ve made an appointment and expect someone to be there.

  • Call for help if you suspect a visitor

  • Check their IDs

  • If they are impersonating police officers, call 911 immediately to double check.

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