Man robs woman of $50 at her home

Man pretends to offer rebate, but instead robs woman.

By: Joseph Harvie
   Police are looking for a man who entered a Sand Hills Road residence and stole $50 after pretending to deliver a $40 rebate from Stop & Shop at 4:21 a.m. Monday, police said.
   According to police, the man, described as short and wearing a blue baseball cap, and a blue shirt and jeans, greeted the victim at her front door by saying "Hello Irene, how are you?" Police said he told the woman that he worked for Stop & Shop and that he was offering her a $40 rebate, but would need change for $100, police said.
   According to police, the woman entered the house and went upstairs to get change. When she returned, the man was standing in her kitchen, which is accessible from the garage.
   Police said the woman told the suspect to leave the house and she walked out to the garage with him.
   The man told the victim that he needed to return to the store to get the money and left in a minivan. When the victim returned inside she noticed that $50 that had been sitting on her counter was gone, police said.
   Police said the incident lasted about 15 minutes and that the thief kept the victim distracted through small talk, such as asking how she has been.
   Police said the victim contacted Stop & Shop, which told her they do not send people to deliver rebates. Police also said the victim used to receive prescriptions at the store, but hasn’t done so in some time.
   Police said the victim’s brother was doing yard work and witnessed some of the interaction between the victim and the suspect.
   The victim’s brother told police that there were three other men in the van, all wearing Yankees baseball caps. The brother also said he thought the men were landscapers.
   Anyone with information in the case should contact the South Brunswick Police Department at (732) 329-400 ext. 7496