Fake Tree Trimmers Strike Again, Woman Uses Force With 81-Year-Old Homeowner

Mentor Police's search for a man and woman who have been posing as tree trimmers to steal from homes in the city took a forceful turn Thursday.

According to the department's Facebook page, the same 81-year-old man on Forest Lane who reported a burglary of items worth about $35,000 from his home last week called police Thursday to say that the duo came back to his home. The man said he did not recognize the woman until she again got him to exit the home to go to the patio.

At that point, the woman tried to force the homeowner to remain in his chair. He was able to get away and went inside to check his bedroom. A phone call came in during these moments, and the man asked the caller to contact the police on his behalf.

Nothing came up missing, but the woman was seen running out of the house and left in a gray or silver van.

Mentor Police said Wednesday that a man and woman had been knocking on doors in Mentor and Lake County pretending to be representatives from a tree-trimming service. The woman usually attempts to lure a homeowner outside while the man goes inside to steal.

This time, police provided a different, more detailed description of the two. The woman is believed to be a light-skinned, woman of an unknown race in her 20's or 30's with long, dark hair and a thin build. She is about five feet, two inches tall with a speaking accent and "bad teeth."

The male has darker skin, but could be white or Hispanic and is in his 40's. He is about five feet, eight inches tall with a stocky build.