By Megan Ma
A rash of unusual burglaries - where men posing as utility workers dupe homeowners - is on the rise, Mountain View Police Chief Scott Vermeer said. According to Vermeer, two or three heavyset Hispanic men, dressed in gray and orange utility worker vests or plain blue work shirts, knock at the residence door and request entry.
More than 30 burglary incidents have occurred on the Peninsula and in the South Bay in the last two months. Police believe the same suspects could be involved in many of the incidents, said Jim Bennett, Mountain View police spokesman.
In September, two suspects posing as water utility workers asked to service a Los Altos resident’s broken pipes. The 83-year-old resident led one suspect into her backyard to turn on a faucet. During this time, the second suspect entered the woman’s Fremont Avenue home and stole $13,000 in cash and checks, said Sgt. Paul Epley, Los Altos Police Department public information officer.
Three similar crimes occurred in October on Lyell Street and Farndon and Eva avenues in Los Altos, Epley said.
There have been four incidents in Mountain View this month already. In two of the cases, the suspects successfully tricked the resident and got away. In the other cases, the suspects fled on foot. No victims have been harmed, police said.
In many cases, Bennett said, one worker will distract the resident by requesting the resident to turn on a back hose or a faucet inside the house. The other “worker” disappears to locate and steal cash and valuables.
The Mountain View police said the suspects have targeted senior citizens and, in most cases, cash and jewelry were stolen. In one case, however, $70,000 was taken from a home in Saratoga.
Police agencies in the South Bay have released sketches of three men known to be involved in the scheme. Police urge residents to request identification from anyone who comes to the door claiming to be a city employee or utility worker. If there is any doubt of legitimacy, they advise residents to call the city or utility company to verify the order.
If there is anything suspicious about the people or situation, residents should call 911 immediately for police assistance.
