2 Suspects Sought in Home-Repair Scam

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies are looking for two men who bilked an 87-year-old mobile home resident out of $2,000 in a home-repair scam.

The two unidentified men allegedly took the money July 11 from Ester Kuebler after claiming to have repaired water leakage problems in her Camarillo Springs mobile home. They forced her to drive to the bank to get the money, according to Det. Barbara Anderson.

Although the two men never threatened her, they firmly insisted on cash, refusing an offer for a check or credit card, she said.

“They intimidated her,” Anderson said. “She was in fear for her life. She felt she had to give them the money.”

Both men are white and clean-shaven.

One is in his 20s, about 5 feet 11, 220 pounds, with a heavy build, blond hair and a Southern accent, Anderson said.

He was wearing white pants, a green shirt and a baseball cap, she said.

The other man is in his 30s, about 5 feet 9, 150 pounds, with a thin build and brown hair, Anderson said.

He was wearing tan overalls, she said.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 385-8255 or 494-8255. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information resulting in an arrest.

Anderson said that she believes the two have committed the same scam before, but that senior citizens are sometimes reluctant to report the crime.

“They’re embarrassed that it happened to them,” she said.