A 71-year-old woman from Ermesinde was robbed weeks ago of tens of thousands of euros. The theft was allegedly carried out by a woman around 50 years old, also residing in Ermesinde, who established a close relationship with the elderly woman and, through it, gained access to her home. The safe contained gold pieces valued at more than 50 thousand euros, money and a key. The importance of the pieces was especially sentimental for the family, as they belonged to the elderly woman's father, grandparents and great-grandparents.
According to the family, the two women met on a bus, where the suspect presented herself as someone connected to the healthcare sector who, during her days off, cared for elderly people. After exchanging contacts, the woman began insisting that they meet. At a first meeting at the elderly woman's home, she offered to help with household tasks and, from there, developed a relationship of trust, calling frequently, hugging her and showing great affection. At the first meeting, the first request for borrowed money already came up, which the elderly woman accepted.
The situation raised suspicion when, at the third and final meeting, a second money request came up. The elderly woman refused and told her daughters, who then detected the disappearance of the money and the safe. The case was reported to the authorities and is under the responsibility of the Public Ministry. During the investigations, some gold pieces were located at gold buying establishments, sold with the suspect's identification. A home search was conducted and a mobile phone was seized.
The family launched a public appeal to anyone who may have acquired these objects, offering to return the amount paid. The elderly woman, who was already dealing with chronic depression and anxiety, saw her condition worsen after the robbery. The family issues a warning about the vulnerability of elderly people to trust relationships and recommends that valuable objects be photographed and any documentation kept that can prove their existence.
