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The incident occurred at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at a home on Hollow Tree Ridge Road. An 87-year-old resident reported that he was in the backyard when a man approached him and said, "Hi Pops, where's mom?"
The man claimed to be an employee of the water company, and said he was there to inspect the water and make sure it was clean and safe, according to police reports.
The suspect was described as an 18- to 20-year-old Hispanic man, about 5-foot-9 and with a slim build, police said.
The elderly resident led him into the house, where he began turning on faucets, police said. A second man, also claiming to be from the water company, followed in through the same door, police said. This man was also described as Hispanic, in his 30s, heavyset, 5-foot-7 and with a goatee.
The first man began asking questions of the resident's 15-year-old grandson, who was in the kitchen, police said. The man turned on the kitchen sink, then ran upstairs and said he had to test the faucets up there, police said.
The grandson and the other resident of the home, a 78-year-old woman, realized that the situation wasn't right and told the first man that they had to leave, police said.
The first man ran to grab his companion and both ran out the front door, police said. The residents also spotted a third person running along the side of the house, police said. This man was described as a short white man wearing a blue plaid shirt.
The residents told police that nothing appeared to be missing. They were unable to say which direction the suspects fled in, or whether they had a vehicle.
This was similar to an incident in June on Ledge Road. An elderly resident reported that two men claiming to be from the water company entered her home and stole cash and valuables, police said.
Police recommend that residents be on the lookout for these kinds of crimes. Always ask for identification of anyone wishing to enter your home, and call the agency to confirm that there are legitimate workers in the area.
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