Distraction Burglary committed by 2 suspects pretending to be correcting a water problem
Date of Release: March 16, 2015
On Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 1241 hours, West Covina Police received a call from an alarm company advising that a burglary had just occurred at a residence in the 1100 block of S. Montezuma Way, West Covina. When the officers arrived, the victims advised that two suspects contacted them advising they worked for the South Hills Country Club Golf Course and that there was a serious water problem affecting the water in the residential area. One suspect said they needed to open up all the water valves in the house and asked the victim to hold the outside water hose to clear out the contaminated water. The 2nd suspect entered residence under the ruse of having to use the restroom. One of the victims re-entered the residence and found the suspect in her bedroom rummaging through her jewelry. The suspect immediately ran out of the residence followed by the other suspect and fled in an unknown direction. There was no vehicle seen. No one was injured.
Suspect 1 is described as a Male Hispanic, between 40 and 50 years old, wearing an orange hat, orange shirt, black sweater and jeans.
Suspect 2 is described as a Male, wearing a red and white striped shirt and light colored beanie.
A check with the country club found no such water problem occurred.
The West Covina Police Department recommends that if you are contacted by anyone requesting to enter your home or backyard for a service you have not requested, demand identification and the name of the company they are working for. You have the right to call the company to verify that someone was sent to your home. If you are alone, call for a neighbor to assist you before allowing anyone into your home or yard. If you feel that the situation is suspicious, contact the police department.
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Information released by:
West Covina Police Department
Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626 939-8500
Web: www.wcpd.org
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Address/Location
West Covina Police Department
1444 W. Garvey Ave.
West Covina, CA 91791
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 626-939-8500
1100 South Montezuma Way
West Covina, CA 91791