Thieves
are targeting local elderly residents and at times getting away with
costly, irreplaceable items.
Sergeant
Brent Barbee with the Amarillo Police Department says, "The most
heartbreaking thing I heard about was a ring that cost several
thousand dollars that went missing from a woman... It wasn't the cost
involved, it was the fact that this particular item can't be
replaced. It belonged to her since before her husband passed away."
Jewelry,
TVs, meds and cash are stolen from these seniors whether they're
staying at their personal residence, rehabilitation setting or home
care facility.
Michael
Kirkpatrick is the director of nurses for Shepard's Crook Nursing
Agency in Amarillo. Kirkpatrick says, "There have been cases of
people stealing money straight out of the patient's purse... We've
assisted them. They usually knew the person that was involved. "
She
says they ask the senior's relative or friend to help keep their
items safer. Kirkpatrick says, "The employees therefore go out
to the patient's home, talk to them about not answering doors, not
giving people money."
Amarillo
police say seniors need to keep record of items' model numbers, their
jewelry's weight, cut and metal type, and have very little cash
accessible; This can help prove ownership.
Kirkpatrick
says they also advise the elderly to store a bottle with vital
information. She says, "They can store important medical records
in there. When we had the wild fires out on the edge of town, they
can keep this vile of life in the refrigerator. Has a current list of
all their medications, who to contact for emergency. "
If
they have to evacuate, they can quickly take the bottle with them.
Jessica
Abuchaibe, NewsChannel 10.
