Man poses as roofing contractor, robs 85-year-old woman

Save

Posted: 6:53 PM Apr 27, 2008
Last Updated: 6:53 PM Apr 27, 2008

26 comments

A | A | A

Would you trust a stranger who came knocking on your door? One elderly Mishawaka woman sure won't anymore!

Eighty-five-year-old Ida Madou was home alone when a man came to her door claiming his company re-did her roof a few years ago.

She let the man in her home to check for possible leaks and left.

A few hours later, her son came to check on her and they noticed a safe -- that had been in the basement for more than 20 years -- was gone. So were memories left of her husband, who died in 2002.

“You can’t judge people by their looks, you have to not trust everybody, and I’ve been told to not let anyone in the house," said Madou.

Ida's son Kevin Madou explained, "It’s irreplaceable from a value standpoint. You can't go out and get these, especially because my dad has passed. And that was what he did every Christmas."

The safe contains two sets of Canadian and U.S. mint coins from the early 1970's and 80's.

The family is offering a 1,000-dollar reward. If you have any information, please call Mishawaka Police at 258-1678.

U93 kicks off annual Roofsit campaign to help prevent child abuse

Part of Cleveland Avenue closed in St. Joe

Man hospitalized after motorcycle accident

80-year-old Niles man shot, robbed at home; suspects arrested

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Wow, this is a prime example of how distorted stories become once people begin talking. Number one, she did not leave the house. Also, the guy was there for about an hour distracting her as another entered and searched all over the house. Most likely these people are professional robbers because they know exactly where to look and how to maneuver things out. Hopefully this clarifies a few misunderstandings.

Posted by: Senior Location: Mishawaka on Apr 29, 2008 at 04:34 PM
We have been warned time an time again to NOT trust anyone..when will they learn, and listen.

Posted by: Me Location: Mishawaka on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:33 AM
I wish this scum would break into my home.. I PROMISE this SCUM would never rob anyone again.. Mr. Smith & Mr.Wesson will make sure of that!!

Posted by: Brent Location: Granger on Apr 28, 2008 at 09:33 PM
This man should be shot!

Posted by: Kristin Location: IN on Apr 28, 2008 at 08:46 PM
As far as the comment about the son goes, some people care about their elderly parents and check on them on a daily basis. There is nothing strange about this other than the fact that you are so self absorbed that the thought of checking on your parent/s never crossed your mind. Or is it that your upset you did not think of this scam first? Or are you guilty? It's idiotic people like you who don't see how terrible this crime is and try to blame it on innocent people. P.S. Keep your stupid thoughts to yourself

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 at 05:47 PM
What the hell difference does it make what color they are? They robbed this poor elderly lady and they deserve to be punished no matter what color they are!

Posted by: Father Mulcahy on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:42 PM
She will let someone in the house again. Some people are just like that. When the moment arrives, they don't have the fortitude to act on what they've been told. Con men know this about people. They target the elderly because there's no physical threat - people of all ages can be conned this way, but the young can chase after you and put up a fight. Certain people can be conned, and you can't train them not to be conned. Ask any frustrated FBI field agent who has tried. They will tell you that the same retirees in Arizona get targeted again and again, sometimes only a week later. Certain personality types are just vulnerable that way. Con men know this and that's what makes them disgusting and cowardly. But then, there is more than one kind of con-man, isn't there... Seems to be the way of mankind, for the strong to take advantage of the weak, for the fast to hoodwink the slow, for the hard hearted to prey on the fearful.

Posted by: Nancy Location: South Bend on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:22 PM
God bless Mrs. Madou....she reminds me so much of my own mother. I'm sure she feels badly about her mistake in opening the door, but thank God she is alright. The scum bags who did this will get theirs.

Posted by: LW Location: Mishatucky on Apr 28, 2008 at 02:38 PM
This unfortuately is nothing new. These type of scams on the elderly have been happening for years and years. Help protect you loved ones and remind them over and over to trust NO one at their door! I hope she gets her safe back, but wouldn't bet on it. At least she wasn't hurt or worse!

Posted by: Randy Location: South Bend on Apr 28, 2008 at 01:21 PM
In regards to someone's comments, she didn't have her roof done two years ago. She couldn't remember, just too trusting. Her son didn't get notified so quickly, she probably didn't see problems at first. Maybe he was at work... HMMM???

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 at 01:02 PM
no one should open doors to strangers (if your 4 or 74)just hide behind the door or window, and if they try any thing funny shot them!

Posted by: Mark B. Location: Goshen on Apr 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I'm not sure I fully understand what happened, and I'll admit I'm a mystery buff, but it seems a little odd to me that the man was only there a few minutes and someone managed to find a safe hidden in an odd place, and take it out of the house without her notice, although the marks on the floor indicate it was too heavy to just carry. *Still, I feel for her, because it's hard to live with the consequences of mistakes-especially when she didn't do anything wrong, except live longer than decency and respectability in our society. Thieves are just selfish and lazy. I hope when they catch this guy, they throw the book at him!

Posted by: Cindy Location: Edwardsburg on Apr 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Wait a minute.... "she let the guy in and left." She LEFT??? She may be a bit old and naiive, but who would lat a stranger into their home and then LEAVE? What was so important that she had to leave right then....?

Posted by: Edward Location: Mi on Apr 28, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Things like this are happening right in this little town. CALL POLICE ! When a stranger even knocks at your door. Maybe they will be caught before a theft or even worse happens. Glad I DO have my own guns !

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Mishawaka on Apr 28, 2008 at 08:21 AM
We need to be reminded not to let people in.....again I do not answer my door if I do not know the person.....or I have not called for a service.....We all need to be reminded from time to time. To bad the world is like this. A dog of any kind helps to alert us to strangers.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Plymouth on Apr 28, 2008 at 07:16 AM
This winter the same thing happened to my elderly parents living in Northwest Indiana. 2 guys posing as cable men knocked at the door and asked them to go outside to talk about the lot for sale next door. Dad went out with 1st guy who lead him to the back yard and Mom stayed inside with the other guy, he asked her for some water he followed her to the kitchen. As they were both distracted 2 more guys came inside searched the house walked out the door with the safe. My Mom turned and saw them leaving with the safe out of the corner of her eye, she started yelling "Where are you going with that safe" They guy that was distracting her ran out the door after them. After a few minutes my Dad walked inside the house and had no idea what happened until Mom told him. Then they called the police. Thank God they did not hurt my parents!! Please beware of these people. Keep your screen doors locked when home alone and the Garage Doors closed. You just can't trust anyone these days.

Posted by: Brdigette Location: Mishawaka on Apr 28, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Caution...This is not the only robbery in that area this week. There were multiple break ins and they are listed in the Sunday's paper. Please be on the lookout for any suspicious activity and call the police.

Posted by: South Bend Location: Indiana on Apr 28, 2008 at 06:59 AM
~What color is this person and your right dont trust anyone cause I dont I dont care who you are there are alot of deceitful people out there.I always tell my kids watch out for the wolves in sheep clothing they are coming in all shapes and fashions TRUST NO ONE and let the ALL MIGHTY GUIDE YOU cause you cant fool him

Posted by: Rob Location: Elkhart on Apr 28, 2008 at 05:49 AM
If you worthless piece of *#! are reading this gloating, GIVE HER SAFE BACK! Put it on her step and walk away, at least her personal items that are irreplaceable. Your really at the bottom of society to do this, and hopefully you can read.

Posted by: eh Location: mi on Apr 28, 2008 at 02:26 AM
if she did have her roof redone a couple of years ago, who else would of known that besides herself and the company who did it? personally i find it kind of strange that her son showed up a couple hours later????? hmmm?????

Posted by: Indiana on Apr 27, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Wow what a courageous criminal.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: SB on Apr 27, 2008 at 07:26 PM
?? Claiming his company re-did her roof a few years ago??Been in the basement??Roof in the basement??? Look at your house not my basement.

Posted by: dave Location: northern IN on Apr 25, 2008 at 02:00 PM
it also helps to have dogs that are not friendly to strangers, have had sales people try to just step in, and end up bailing back out the door, when my 2 100lb growling furballs show thier teeth, and let them know they are not welcome

Posted by: R Location: South Bend on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:49 PM
The person who did this is sick. I work with the elderly and I know they are targeted because they are old. Their generation was always very trusting and the elderly are not use to people taking advanatge of them. I see a lot of scams that my elderly people receive and it is disgusting. People who target our elderly should be thrown in jail. Remember you will be old someday too.

Posted by: Ben Location: South Bend on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Wow, who the hel* robs an old woman? I hope you burn

Posted by: marie Location: mishawaka ,in. on Apr 24, 2008 at 09:14 PM
my mother still reminds me at 55 years old,lock your car doors,i always do...same as my house doors,always locked when home alone. can't be to careful i'm Happy she's still around to tell me!!!