Cary police say women impersonated nursing home staff to steal jewelry

Cary police say they’re looking for two women who wore hospital scrubs to impersonate nurses and allegedly stole jewelry from residents at two Cary retirement communities earlier this month.

The department released security footage and photos Friday morning of the women they say went to SearStone continuing care retirement community on Searstone Drive and Waltonwood on Cary Parkway.

Capt. Randall Rhyne with the Cary Police Department said the women allegedly stole $11,000 worth of jewelry from residents at the two facilities. He did not have a breakdown of the stolen property, but said it includes earrings, rings and bracelets.

Police say the women wearing hospital scrubs didn’t have identification when they entered the buildings. On surveillance video, they are seen walking through hallways to check unlocked doors.

One woman is described as 5-foot-1 to 5-foot-5, 25 to 35 years old, Hispanic or white, with a medium build and dark hair.

The other woman is about the same height, also white or Hispanic with the same build, and is 45 to 55 years old. She spoke with a heavy accent, wore glasses and wore what police described as a train conductor-style hat, according to a news release.

Rhyne said staff from both facilities are cooperating with the investigation.

Three of the residents who reported stolen property live in Waltonwood at 750 SE Cary Parkway. The incident there happened July 4. Two of the residents are 87, and one is 90, according to police reports.

Staci Stewart, Waltonwood’s executive director, said she couldn’t comment on the investigation.

The fourth incident happened at SearStone on July 11 and involved a 78-year-old female resident, according to reports. Chris Romick, executive director and administrator at SearStone, said he doesn’t believe any property was stolen, although a police report was filed.

Romick said in an email that the woman who entered two independent living facilities at SearStone didn’t follow guest policies by signing in at the front desk. She attempted to enter an unlocked residence, and the resident confronted the woman, he said. The woman left, and the resident notified security.

He said the SearStone security team observed the woman on video after she left the campus. It’s unclear if she was alone or with the other woman.

Since then, he said, additional security measures have been implemented, including educating staff and residents about keeping their doors locked and monitoring guests. Building access codes have been changed, he said.

Romick and Rhyne said the two women who entered the properties were polite when confronted by residents and left.

“The community will work hard to maintain the independent spirit of the community, and also ensure the safety and security of the people who live here,” Romick said in an email.

If anyone has seen the women or has information that could help detectives find them, call police at 919-469-4012 or Crime Stoppers at 919-469-4324.

Crime Stoppers pays up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of those responsible for committing certain types of crimes. All calls will be kept confidential if the caller requests it.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Cary police say women impersonated nursing home staff to steal jewelry."