GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating a series of distraction-style burglaries targeting elderly victims.
Investigators are linking 11 cases to the series.
The suspects in these cases target elderly victims who they believe are home alone.
Jo Hewatt said she thought nothing of it when man who appeared to be a workman asked her to step out back and ID her property line.
"I told him, 'Go on back in the back and I will meet you back there,'" said Hewatt.
Hewatt walked towards the property line and she said the man started acting strange.
"And all the time he was talking to me, he was also talking on a walkie-talkie," said Hewatt.
Hewatt said she didn't know who he was talking to or what was being said.
"I don't know he was talking in Spanish," said Hewatt.
By now the grandmother of six knew something was up, so she started asking questions.
"I said, 'I didn't get your name' and he kept walking fast then, so I came on back in the house," said Hewatt.
That's when Hewatt discovered her purse out and her house ransacked.
"I knew I had two big bills and some smaller ones and they picked the big bills out," said Hewatt.
Gwinnett County Officer Cpl. Jake Smith said Hewatt isn't the only person these crooks have distracted to get what they want.
"These guys are very convincing they are coming with very legitimate reasons for being there. They are working on a neighbor's property or they are with a guiltily service," said Smith.
Hewatt said this won't happen to her again.
Anyone with information for detectives can call 770-513-5300.
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