This show has reminded me, one more time, of how crooked our society has become.
A couple of years ago, my elderly neighbor met and "befriended" a man and his wife. She trusted them and they used her. Her health was failing, and they were going through her house, looking for things to take, and trying to find any possible way to take every penny they could get from her. I saw what was going on....{and, I'd heard "rumors" regarding the "man," and at least one child. They claimed to be "chuch-going" people, and yet, went from church to church--anytime there was a problem concerning them. He would always go to the local grocery store and purchase the "marked-down" baked goods, and what not; leave them in the back of his truck all day (sometimes in 90+ degree temperatures), and then sell them to unsuspecting people.} So, one day, I finally forced myself to go over to talk to my neighbor. Guess who was in the yard, as I went over?! Needless to say, he became really loud and threatening--but, I was there for her! So, I waited for her to open the door, and we spoke briefly (my husband had arrived, by that time, and stepped in between me and the "man"). I made sure she was ok, and asked if I could come over later, and talk. When I got back home, I couldn't do anything but worry about her, all day. See, "he'd" come over to "drive" her and take her to run a couple of errands...one of those errands just happened to be going to the bank. But, as I'd promised, we finally got a small chance to talk.....and, since I was well aware of her depressed-state, and some of her health issues, I decided to leave her a note, because we never really got to speak candidly.
She'd asked me (about a year or two prior) to collect her mail for her, and just drop it by. So, either I'd drop it off, or I'd send my daughter. And, we'd spend a few minutes with her, or come back later to hang out; just to make sure she was alright.
About a day or two after the "drama" had occurred, I'd gone over to deliver her mail, and couldn't get the door open (she kept telling me to come in, and I couldn't do anything). I watched for a little bit, and then the "man and his wife" drove up, over there. They stayed and stayed and kept looking around....Well, our other neighbor stopped by to see her, and she couldn't get in to see her, either. So, after the "man" left, his wife came back. We watched and waited to see what she was going to do, and then went over. Whenever I'd knock, my neighbor continued to tell me to come in, but the doors were still locked. So, I finally called the police/rescue squad. The police ended up breaking in the door, and she was laying in the floor, where she'd evidently collapsed. (She was taken to the hospital, and died a couple of months later.) The "couple" wouldn't do anything--once there was entry made--other than search for her purse and look for her money and so forth....(All they kept saying was how they were going to be my neighbor...) And, the police wouldn't do anything other than tell me how I just needed "let it go," and "you know how old peole get, just ignore it." It was not that simple. I knew my neighbor for more than 30 years, and I was not going to sit by and watch someone take everything she and her husband had worked so hard for.
But, at what price? (While I know I didn't kill her or anything of that nature, WHAT was really accomplished, other than letting that crooked couple know we were/are watching??? "He'd" threatened me, my husband, and my children--with witnesses, but the magistrate wouldn't even file a report. What are you supposed to do?? Should I have just let "him" hit me, and THEN gone the judicial route?? What ever happened to "do unto others..."?
Needless to say, after dealing with all that drama (as well as a couple of other issues), I pretty much stay home. I go to the store, when the need arises, or spend a little "quality time" out with the family (maybe once a week), but now, I stay planted inside my home.
(The sad part of all this was the ages of those involved. My neighbor was close to 70, and the "man and his wife" were/are at or above 70, as well; while we are in our mid-thirties. I guess they never grew up or got caught by the "right" person!!!)
From petty theft to check fraud, Dr. Phil’s guests say they’re addicted to stealing, and it’s destroying their families. Casey says he’s been pilfering for 16 years and has ripped off groceries, appliances, DVDs -- even one of Dr. Phil’s books! Casey estimates that he’s stolen nearly $100,000 in merchandise and says his estranged brother, Zack, is clueless about the extent of his criminal activity. How does Zack respond when Casey reveals another deep, dark secret? Will the brothers be able to reconcile, and will Casey change his thieving ways? And, Micki says she uses her good looks to get jewelry and credit card numbers from men, but her kids have no idea she leads a secret life as a con artist. Recently, she was arrested for stealing $10,000 in a check fraud scheme. Find out why one friend says she deserves to be behind bars. Don’t miss Dr. Phil’s strong message for Micki. Join the discussion.
