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String of Home Invasions Rattles Luzerne County Seniors

WEST HAZLETON– As police investigate the latest home invasion robbery in West Hazleton, residents wonder what is behind a string of attacks on Luzerne Cou...
whaz home invasion 9-5

WEST HAZLETON-- As police investigate the latest home invasion robbery in West Hazleton, residents wonder what is behind a string of attacks on Luzerne County seniors in their homes, over the past 9 months.

Police in West Hazleton say that early Friday morning, a pair of robbers broke into Marie Tomko's home on Webster Avenue.

Detectives report that the pair beat the woman, taking cash and debit cards.

Friday evening Tomko, 69, had returned home and was recovering from her ordeal.

The type of crime is familiar to police in several Luzerne County communities.

Thanksgiving night Gertrude Price, 97, was killed by an intruder in her Nanticoke home.

A few weeks ago, in Hazleton Josephine Smalley,94,was attacked by a man looking for money in her home.

In Nescopeck, Ella Hays,87, was robbed at gunpoint by two masked men, also in August.

Luzerne County District Attorney, Stefanie Salavantis says while detectives have no evidence the same attackers are involved in the string of incidents, the crimes do have a common thread.

She believes home invasions are usually perpetrated by drug addicts, desperate to feed a habit.

She says,"They go into homes, they find anything they can pawn off and sell, all so they can feed their addiction. I think that is the basis of why we are seeing so many home invasions lately."

She adds that there are also not enough places in treatment programs to meet the rising demand.

A representative of the Victim's Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre believes demographics and social changes contribute to the problem.

Pat Rushton says Luzerne County has a high percentage of senior citizens, many who live in their longtime homes. He says in some communities the social fabric is changing, as older residents move away or die, and younger people leave looking for better-paying jobs. He says the trends can add to seniors' isolation.

That sense of a neighborhood where people are watching out for each other, that is not happening as much anymore,so it makes them even more vulnerable," Rushton says.

Both Salavantis and Rushton say there are a number of steps seniors can take to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Security systems, and push-button alarms that a person can hang around their neck are an option. But Salavantis says there are also ways to fight home invasions that do not involve technology. She says just checking in on older neighbors is a good place to start.

She says to pay attention to any unfamiliar visitors, she adds"Keep your eyes open."

Darlene Stoilov lives around the corner from the home where Friday's attack happened, she says,"I think all neighbors should be watching out for each other's homes, just a common courtesy, we don't have to be the best of friends, but we live together."

More information on senior safety is available though the Area Agency on Aging in Wilkes-Barre.

Help for victims of crimes is available through the victim's resource center in Wilkes-Barre.

The hotline number is 866-206-9050.

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