Woman charged in alleged ruse to steal drugs

YARMOUTHPORT — Allegedly preying on the kindness of strangers, a woman attempted to use a resident's bathroom and then tried to steal prescription drugs from the medicine cabinet, police said.

Daria Pearlman, 32, of Ashland was arrested Friday morning and charged with felony breaking and entering and felony theft from a building.

Pearlman allegedly knocked on the door of a Collingwood Drive home, according to a police statement, and asked if she could use the bathroom.

But Pearlman, who police said had attempted a similar ruse a day prior, "went into the bathroom with the intent to steal prescription drugs," according to the statement.

"In the past, people wait for the mail, grab it, knock on a door and wait to see if someone answers," police Sgt. Walter Warren said of other tricks home invaders use. "If no one is there, they'll break in."

Police warn against allowing strangers into homes for any reason.

Pearlman was arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Friday.