Deception burglaries have been hitting Merrick and police released new sketches of suspects that they feel are involved in these incidents that prey on the elderly.

Nassau County Police released a composite sketch, this one depicting two Hispanic women.

One woman is between 45 and 50 years old, with stocky build, medium complexion, dark hair and dark eyes and wears eyeglasses.

The other woman is described as 30 years old, 5-foot-6, medium build with a light to medium complexion and blue eyes. She was included in a composite sketch that was released in Dec. 2011. According to police, the suspect appears to have a "bulging or wandering eye."

Police believe that these women have played roles in a series of burglaries that have also been reported in Malverne, West Hempstead, Wantagh, Massapequa Park and Jericho.

Police are telling seniors to be on the lookout for "persons posing as utility workers or home repair workers who have engaged in the deception/distraction technique." 

The burglars, "lure unsuspecting seniors away from their open doors or entice them to other areas of their home while an accomplice enters the home in search of valuables," police said.

Instances in Merrick include:

• On Dec. 27 , a woman with a walkie talkie went to the home of a 83-year-old Merrick resident on Yale Road, saying she was a new neighbor who needed to do work in the home owner's yard. Nothing was taken and the home owner saw a the female Hispanic and a male Hispanic leave in a dark minivan.
• About 10 minutes after the incident on Yale Road, the same two suspects drove around the corner to the home of a 68-year-old Kirkwood Avenue resident in Merrick and asked the home owner if he had scrap metal to get rid of. Again, nothing was taken and the suspects were seen entering a maroon minivan with Florida plates.

Crime Stoppers ask anyone who has any information on the identity of these subjects, or has information about these cases to call their toll free hotline: 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). They are offering a reward of up to $5,000 and all callers can remain anonymous.