The Honolulu Police Department is warning elderly Oahu residents to be careful when dealing with people offering to do repair work on homes or vehicles.

Police last week arrested two men, 52 and 20, on suspicion of first-degree theft and second-degree attempted theft in a case involving an 80-year-old woman.

The woman had paid more than $20,000 to the men over several days although no work was done. On Oct. 6, a bank teller became suspicious when the two men accompanied the woman as she attempted to withdraw money from her account. Bank officials called the woman's family, who then called police.

“;When having repairs done, it is always best to deal with a licensed contractor,”; police said. “;Information about a company's history, licenses and complaints is available through Hawaii's Better Business Bureau or the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”;