In Crossville, Tenn., a man and woman asked if the woman could take a skinny-dip, and then the man said he was leaving to get cigarettes, according to the Crossville Police Department.
But while the woman swam naked and the distracted homeowner watched, someone robbed the home of nearly $1,000 in jewelry, cash, a handgun and prescription drugs, police said.
“We’ve seen numerous distraction methods – asking for help looking for a dog, asking for help with gas for a stranded car and then people come back and find their home was burglarized,” Crossville Police Department Detective J.C. Hancock said. “They just took it a new level using a naked woman.”
Police said they have eliminated suspects but have not been able to locate the alleged criminals.
Hancock said he was surprised to see the method these burglars used.
“Every time I think I’ve seen it all, there’s something new,” he said.
According to ABC News affiliate in Nashville, Tenn., News 2, the incident happened on June 27. The victim, Stephen Amaral, 54, said he gave the 30-something woman a towel when she was done swimming.
“I escorted her outside and invited her to church, but she said she didn’t have time for that, she wasn’t ready for that,” Amaral told News 2.
Amaral told News 2 he did not notice the theft until after the woman had already left.
“They cleared me out and I just feel violated,” Amaral said.
Amaral told News 2 he formerly used the handgun as a Mississippi deputy and he planned to pass it on to his grandchildren.
