Fake utility workers steal $1,500 from Shelbyville grandmother

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – An elderly woman in Shelbyville says two men posing as utility workers stole her money, keys and purse Thursday night. Police are now looking for the suspects.

Betty Covalt said two men knocked on her door during a Thursday night storm. They told her they’re going door-to-door checking fuse boxes for the power company.

She let them in and, after they left, she realized one of them stole her purse from her bedroom. Inside the purse was Covalt’s ID, credit card, keys and more than $1,500 dollars.

“I was just devastated. I’m an elderly woman on a fixed income. They took all the money I had. I’m leaving next week on a vacation and they took my money,” Covalt said.

Covalt’s family said they spent two hours and $200 changing every lock in the house. She said she still doesn’t feel safe.

Her granddaughter, Jillian Bowman, started an online fundraiser with a goal of raising $2,000 dollars. Bowman’s plan is to replace what the men stole from her grandma.

“I’m devastated. I’m crushed. If they would have asked her for something, she would have given it to them,” Bowman said.

“They had no right to my purse or belongings,” Covalt said. “I pray that they find them and I get justice for what they did to me.”

She crossed the street Friday and warned her neighbors about what happened. But first, Covalt shared a message for the thieves.

“You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, you scumbags,” she said.

Covalt said as the men sped away in a white van, she saw letters on the side reading “Michigan Road.” She said the van said something else but she couldn’t read it all.

If you know anything about the case, you can reach the Shelbyville Police Department at 317-392-5108.