Police Warn of Utility Worker Scam

Source: SacPD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Sacramento Police are warning area residents of a recent burglary scam where suspects impersonate utility workers.

This month, the Sacramento Police Department has received multiple reports of suspects claiming to be utility employees.

The impersonators knock on front doors of residences claiming they need access to the backyard of the home to service the sewer or water line.

The residents accompany the purported utility worker to the backyard while additional suspects enter and burglarize the home through an unlocked front door. It is believed the suspects are arriving and fleeing in a white work truck as part of their ruse.

The Sacramento Police Department is warning people to never allow people inside your residence or yard without proper identification. City workers or Utility workers are identified by department issued badges and persons wearing a hard hat or utility vest may not be a city or utility worker·

The suspects are described as follows:

• Suspect #1 was described as Hispanic or White male adult, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 170 pounds, medium build, wearing an orange vest and hard hat.
• Suspect #2 was described as a Hispanic or White male adult in his mid-30s, 6 feet tall, heavy set, wearing an orange work jacket and hard hat.

The suspect vehicle was described as white work truck, possibly a 2008 to 2009 Chevy with an orange circular light on the roof.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.