A north Chatham man whose pain medication was stolen after he allowed a stranger into his home is warning others who might be targeted.
The 58-year-old, who suffers from chronic pain, allowed a man going door-to-door seeking roofing work to use his restroom only to find medication missing after the man left.
“He seemed very honest and straightforward and appeared to know what he was talking about,” said the homeowner who didn’t want his name used. “We’re trusting people and nothing in his manner was unusual.”
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The incident has left the homeowner angry and concerned for his neighbours.
“To think that this little knob is out there using or selling my pills and thinking who he can rip off next really bothers me,” he said. “I don’t take these pills to get high, I take them to get myself through the day.”
The homeowner said he is concerned the thief may have targeted him because he has a handicap-accessible ramp at his home.
“Since I’ve spoken with friends, I’m learning that these thieves are very predatory. I’ve heard of them hanging around pharmacies hoping to hear an address so they can target someone later.”
He said he’s also concerned that if the pills are being sold; the buyer has no idea what they’re getting.
“You would have to take a lot of my medication to get high, but if you combine it with something else, who knows what the result would be.”
He said he will be more careful in the future but he’s not going to allow the incident to change his outlook on people.
“There are more of these desperate people around and we have to be cautious, but I know they’re in the minority. It’s still a good world.”
