This sounds like a classic gypsy scam. How terrible for the victims - distressing and scary.

Imagine, being approached by a perfect stranger as you are about to shop, claiming something is wrong with your car, and offering to repair it right there in the parking lot. I wonder what he told her was wrong with her car? Perhaps he claimed he could see smoke coming from underneath. Of all the nerve! He saw that she was an older, mature woman alone and decided to approach her. I feel just awful about this. I am somewhat older than this poor woman, yet I would have simply said, "Thank you. I'll have my mechanic attend to it." She was flustered and gave him a card with her address. I'm sure she regrets that. It is something we should never do. We seniors must remain vigilant when we are out and about. I even turn my rings around so as not to attract undue attention. I have my maid accompany me everywhere I go. She would ward off anyone with evil motives who approached us, you can be sure.

Ms. Curran - the article doesn't say that he said that there was anything wrong with the victim's car. Maybe this is stated in other news reports?

Also, she's an elderly woman, not a mature woman. As such, she was likely targeted for that very reason. I'm a mature woman (even though sometimes I act immaturely), and I truly hope to become an elderly woman. My point is that she was likely targeted due to being a senior citizen. I wonder, if caught, if he'd be charged with some sort of applicable enhancement, given the victims' ages?

"Police said that shortly before noon, a man approached an 81-year-old woman at the shopping center, and asked if he could perform some repairs on her vehicle."

Of course there was nothing wrong with her car. The thief only implied such, to initiate conversation. And it indeed IS included in the news report above. Why are you trying to mince words with me, Mrs. Hmmmm?

And I prefer the description 'older, mature' over elderly. Elderly is not how I view all people just over 80. Would you refer to Sophia Loren or Joan Rivers as 'elderly'? I somehow doubt they would appreciate it very much. Nothing at all offensive about using the descriptor words 'older or mature' when speaking of someone who takes care of themselves, and is very active and younger looking.

Well, gosh, I think of Rivers and Loren both as elderly. How ironic to mention Rivers given her medical emergency. I'm betting both of their doctors consider them elderly, too.

I hope Hmmm responds to this post. Not sure why Curran is being so snappish. I also found it interesting that Curran focused on the unreported details about what the criminal spoke to the victim about specifically regarding car repairs. Maybe it's just Curran's writing style.

And how do we know the victim is younger looking and/or active? What's wrong with the word "elderly"?

Thank you "Memories" (above here) for your important contribution to this topic. Please know that your comments will be given the full attention they deserve.