Girls Steal Cash While Raking Leaves, Couple Says

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KMBC.com

A local couple said they're on alert for scammers after some children stole money from them while raking their leaves.

Two girls told Richard and Imogene Wiggans that they were raking the leaves for charity.

"They said they were doing charitable work, trying to help the poor," Richard Wiggans told KMBC's Jim Flink.

He said one of the girls was about 10 years old.

While one of the girls was raking outside, the other said she needed to use the bathroom.

Imogene Wiggans said her purse was on the couch, and the girl stole $100 from it while she and her husband were outside.

"I trusted these little girls," Wiggans said.

She said she was about to get $1 to give the girls for their effort, when they suddenly left.

"She said, 'I'm going to be right back,' and I didn't think about it," Richard Wiggans said.

The couple went to Center Schools hoping to spot the culprits. The school said they never have students go door to door doing leaf-raking fundraisers.

Other children heard what happened and raised money to give back to the Wigganses.

"They restored our faith in people, in children," Imogene Wiggans said.

"That's why I live in the Midwest, because people here have a big heart," Richard Wiggans said.

The couple said they're keeping an eye out for the two girls.

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