CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A Seminole County woman trying to help a couple was scammed by the people she was trying to assist, police said.
The 73-year-old woman said she took a couple into her home after meeting them through church. Police said the couple stole more than $25,000 worth of belongings, including the wedding ring given to the woman by her husband, who died last year.
Apopka police got involved when they caught the couple, Bradley William Zimmerman and Denise Carol Zimmerman, selling the items at a local pawn shop.
Police said the Zimmermans sold the victim's items at several pawn shops across two counties, items that were priceless to her.
"I've always, all my life, I've tried to help people," said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
The couple had been staying with the woman since Oct. 1.
"I didn't have any red flags until, I think, it was New Year's Eve," she said.
The woman said she checked her piggy bank and then her jewelry box.
"The more I looked, the more pieces I found missing," said the woman.
Her computer, televisions and video cameras disappeared. She said Bradley Zimmerman told her they needed to be repaired.
"He told me that he and the dog were tussling and it broke and he was going to get it fixed," she said. "I thought, well they're living here. Surely they wouldn't have done this."
The couple was arrested. The woman said the Zimmermans stole not just her belongings but her trust.
"I feel bad because I know there's people out there that need help, and I could probably do something to help them, but I'm afraid to now," she said.
The woman told Local 6 that Bradley Zimmerman admitted to the thefts, claiming that the couple needed the money to pay for chemotherapy for Denise Zimmerman.
The woman is working to get her belongings returned, but police said it could be difficult because some of the jewelry has already been sold forward.