On 28 December 2021, two teenagers rang the doorbell at an elderly person’s home in Mondercange. The two, who spoke French, claimed to be collecting money for charity and asked the woman for a drink. She let the teenagers into her home, where they distracted her and stole her purse before fleeing the house.
Police launched an immediate search for the culprits, deploying a helicopter and a canine search team. The two perpetrators were quickly found and taken into custody, where it transpired they were both minors.
The public prosecutor ordered the two be put into juvenile custody, while their case is reviewed.
Similar incidents took place in Bertrange on 27 November, Käerjeng on 8 December and Sanem on 16 December. All three are being investigated at present.
The modus operandi is the same for all three: the perpetrators engage in conversation under the pretext of collecting money, then ask for a drink. During this distraction, the culprits steal valuables from their victims.
In all three cases the victims were elderly people. The police say this does not mean younger people will not be targeted, however, and urged other victims to come forward if they experience the same situation.
The police advise the public to be wary when strangers come to the door. Try to avoid long conversations and do not invite strangers into your home. Any suspicious behaviour, vehicles or incidents should be reported to the police.
