87-year-old Linden woman scammed twice while shopping

LINDEN, NJ (WABC) -- Police say an 87-year-old Linden woman was victimized twice in the same month by a scam artist while shopping at the Aviation Plaza on W. Edgar Road.

The woman told police that earlier his month, she went to Shop-Rite and when she returned to put her groceries in the car, she was approached by a white male, 40 to 45 years old, 5-foot-10, with dark hair and clean cut.

He was accompanied by a female in a dark-colored SUV.

The man told her that there was a problem with her car door and he could "fix" it because he had the part. He then told her to step on her brakes while he removed a black toolbox from her car. When she got out of the car, he told her the car was "fixed" and he left the area.

On August 24 at approximately 1:30 p.m., she went shopping again at Shop-Rite and was approached by the same man. He told her she still had a problem with her door and he could "fix" it for $60.00. The woman stated she didn't have the money, and the man convinced her to drive to her home with him to get the money.

Once at the house, the man asked to use the bathroom, which was located near the ground floor garage door. When she got the money and went into her kitchen, she was surprised to see the man there. He then told her she had a nice house, and he demanded more money. She refused and gave him the $60, and he left the house. The woman did not find anything else missing.

Anyone who may have seen this individual at the Aviation Plaza shopping mall or have any other information on this incident is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 908-474-8537.