An East Mountain Road resident was the victim Saturday of what police called a “distraction burglary.”
At about 4 p.m. a man whom police described as Hispanic, 5-8, with a heavy build and wearing a white polo shirt and blue jeans knocked on the front door of the residence and said he was a Department of Public Works employee. He told the homeowner he was there to trim trees and bushes at the rear of the property, and the woman escorted the man to the rear of the property.
Later in the evening, she discovered that someone had entered her home and removed jewelry and a firebox containing documents.
Such a “distraction burglary” occurs when a suspect poses as a government employee, contractor or utility worker and lures the resident out of their home under the guise of showing them a repair or work that should be done on the proerty. While the resident is outside, a seconds suspect enters the home and steals property.
Police said government and most utility workers wear a uniform and should have some form of employee ID verifying who they are. If in doubt, residents should ask for proper ID. Residents should also contact police when they are suspicious of any activity.
