SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - The hunt is underway for three men who preyed on two elderly sisters and robbed them. Police say the men pretended to be utility workers to get inside the ladies' home.

Scranton police are asking for help in solving this case. They say the robbery took place around noon-time on Thursday. It happened in the 500-block of Meadow Avenue.

"I think it's sad. I think it's really sad that they have to do that to elderly people. There's better things in life to do than rob elderly people," neighbor Marion Cosma said.

Police say the three suspects told the elderly women they needed to check a fuse box. Once inside, they rummaged through the property. Cops think the women may have been a target.

"In all the cases that we've seen they're not randomly knocking on doors. They're going to specific residences that they had prior information about," Captain Carl Graziano of the Scranton Police Department said.

"It was only two-or-three years ago somebody kicked their back door in. They have a hard time getting up and down the stairs," neighbor Lawrence Dutcher said.

Dutcher knows both elderly victims. He says they were too trusting.

"They're from a different generation. I mean, I've lived here all them years and some of the older people still don't lock their doors," Dutcher said.

Police think the robbery could have been prevented.

"It's very seldom that a utility company is ever going to have to come in to check utilities inside your house. They deal with utilities from the road outside. If there is ever a question about if they're legitimate or not, call the police and we will come out and identify if they're legit or not," Captain Graziano said.

Police say the three suspects were able to get away with money. All three of the suspects are described as white males. One had a beard. They were driving a blue-or-greenish van.