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Man Robbed After ‘Damsel in Distress Ruse’

WYOMING — A man in Luzerne County probably regrets answering his door early Wednesday morning, when he was fooled into thinking he was helping a woman. He...

WYOMING -- A man in Luzerne County probably regrets answering his door early Wednesday morning, when he was fooled into thinking he was helping a woman.

He says she claimed she was stuck and out of gas right before two men forced their way inside his home, pointed guns at him, and robbed him.

Police in the borough of Wyoming call it a "Damsel in Distress Ruse," a trick that turned into a robbery and home invasion for one homeowner on Monument Avenue.

That man has lived on that same street for 60 years and never thought something like this would happen.

Just after midnight Wednesday, on his normally quiet street, Richard Woodleaf heard a knock on his door followed by the voice of a woman asking for help. The woman said she needed gas, but two men were hiding next to her.

"I would imagine they were right back here in the shadows. Then they came out of the shadows with their guns and right in the door," Woodleaf said.

Woodleaf told police within seconds he was shoved inside his home, staring down the barrel of gun.

The robbers got away with only a cell phone and about $100 cash, but Woodleaf says they also took something he can't replace--his natural instinct to help.

"Now, you can't even help somebody, you know? What if she really did need help? What if somebody was attacking her or something, you know?" Woodleaf said.

Wyoming police spent most of the day canvassing the neighborhood, hoping someone may have seen something and comes forward.

"Maybe the public, or somebody driving by, or someone driving down Wyoming Avenue saw some people last night who were suspicious. Maybe they didn't think it was suspicious at the time," Wyoming Police Commissioner Michael Flanagan said.

The two men are described as black men in their 30s, five feet nine inches in height, and thin builds.

The woman is described as a white woman with brown hair in her mid-30s about five feet six inches and 120 pounds.

While police are increasing their presence in the area, Commissioner Flanagan has this advice for residents: "If you are not sure and someone is asking for help. Just dial 911 and a police officer will come, they will help those people out."

At this point in the investigation, police do not believe Woodleaf was targeted. They think the robbers were just knocking on doors until someone finally opened.

They are checking surveillance from nearby stores and homes and ask anyone with information to contact Wyoming Borough Police.

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