Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Days after an elderly couple were robbed in their Pennington-Lawrenceville Road home, the Hopewell Township Police Department are using the incident to warn residents to remain on guard for potential scams.
According to the police department, the incident took place over two days.
At 3 p.m. on July 20, police said the couple were allegedly solicited by two men to have their driveway seal-coated for $600. Upon agreeing to the service, the couple allowed one of the men into their home to retrieve payment. The individual then followed the couple into their bedroom and watched as they took the money out from where they were storing it.
Shortly after receiving the cash, the men left in a grey pickup truck with no front license plate.
At about 2 p.m. the following day, on July 21, police said two different men allegedly approached the couple’s home and informed them that they were employees of the Hopewell Township Public Works Department who needed to do tree work at the back of the property.
The couple and one of the men went to the backyard to survey the supposed work area for 30 minutes. After the men left, the couple went inside and realized that “a large sum of cash” had been taken from their bedroom.
Police said the couple identified one of the men as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, with a skinny build and very bad teeth. He was also described as having a gold plate or bridge in his mouth.
The other individuals were also described as Hispanic.
According to Chief Lance D. Maloney, the investigation is ongoing.
As a result of the theft, the Hopewell Township Police Department is reminding residents to ask all utility workers for full identification and to make sure they are in proper uniform. Anyone who is unsure who is at their door should call the authorities and not let them into their home.
