Public Safety
Police: Man Poses as Visiting Water Co. Employee, as Accomplice Steals
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As a man posing as a water company employee went through her Ledge Road home with an elderly Ledge Road woman, his accomplice entered the house and stole cash and valuables from an upstairs bedroom, police said. The incident occurred at about 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to Darien police, who gave these further details:
The phony water company employee said a leak had been detected coming from the woman’s home, and she let him in to check out various parts of the house. For much of his visit, the man was on his cell phone — police suspect he was signaling his accomplice. Darien police say this kind of crime is a “distraction burglary” in which one perpetrator keeps the attention of a householder (often an elderly person) as one or more thieves enter a home to steal from it. Aquarion Water Co., which serves Darien customers, recommends, “especially if no appointment has been scheduled,” that residents “refuse entrance into their home without first seeing photo identification.”