Arlington Police Warn Residents of Potential Scam Related to Water Service Checks
Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]
Arlington Police Warn Residents of Potential Scam Related to Water Service Checks
ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police Department is investigating a recent incident where a resident reported that a pair of men stole cash from her home after posing as a construction workers checking the water service.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, at 11:27 a.m., officers were dispatched to a Arlington Heights home on report of a larceny. Upon arrival, officers conducted an on-scene investigation and learned that the woman answered the door the previous day for a man who represented himself as a construction worker looking to check the water service.
The suspect allegedly indicated to the resident that he was working on a home behind hers, and that he needed to check her home’s water pipes. The resident subsequently allowed the man to enter her home and accompanied him to the basement, where he appeared to inspect the pipes. The resident also reported seeing a second man outside by a parked SUV that the first suspect appeared to have driven to her home.
Thursday morning, the resident noticed several items were out of place inside her home and later observed that an envelope containing cash had been taken from a dresser.
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-7, 200 pound male with an olive complexion, wearing a dark ball cap.
Arlington Police are continuing to actively investigate the incident.
“Residents should never let anyone unfamiliar enter their homes, and should always take extreme care when talking to someone who arrives at their home unannounced in the way these individuals did,” Chief Ryan said. “If an unknown individual arrives at your home, you should not hesitate to call the Arlington Police Department and ask for an officer’s assistance in confirming someone’s identity.”
Residents should also know that employees from the Arlington Department of Public Works or the Water and Sewer Division take great care to appropriately identify themselves. Residents should keep the following in mind:
- The Arlington DPW will always try to schedule non-emergency appointments prior to anyone showing up at the residence. This may be done via telephone but in most cases via written notice.
- DPW employees will be operating marked DPW vehicles and wearing clothing with the Arlington DPW logo.
- Most importantly – DPW workers are issued a picture ID from the Arlington Police Department clearly identifying them as a DPW employee. If they do not have this ID citizens should refuse access to the home and contact the APD immediately.
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