News Releases

Police Warn of Utility Scam

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 14, 2013

Detectives from the 5^th District Investigative Section are investigating an incident involving a utility scam in Gaithersburg.

On March 8, at approximately 2:43 p.m., officers responded to an address in the unit block of Highland Avenue for the report of a burglary.  The 93-year-old female victim told police that she saw a male suspect on her front porch wearing a white hard hat and a black jacket with an unknown emblem on the front.  The suspect claimed to work for the water company and that there had been a gas leak that had affected the water in the area.  The suspect and victim then went to the basement of the residence to check the main valve.  While there, the victim was distracted and the suspect, along with a second suspect who had entered while the others were downstairs, removed items of value from the house and left the scene.

Information provided by the victim and her neighbors led to the following descriptions:

Suspect #1 is described as a Hispanic male, 5-08 tall, 145 pounds, approximately 30 years old.

Suspect #2 is described as a Hispanic male, 6-00 tall, 180-200 pounds, approximately 30 years old.

The vehicle involved in this incident is described as an older model small to mid-size sedan with flat black paint and dark tinted windows.

Police warn residents to be aware that all utility workers will carry proper identification.  If a worker is unable to provide proper identification, do not allow him or her to enter your residence.  Additionally, you may check with your utility companies to determine whether the company has workers in your area before allowing the worker to enter your home.

• PEPCO customer service 202-833-7500   http://www.pepco.com
• WSSC customer service 301-206-9772  http://www.wsscwater.com
• Washington Gas customer service 703-750-1000   http://www.washgas.com

Detectives are asking that anyone with information about this incident or the suspect(s) involved to please contact the 5th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6237, or the non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or enter a tip online. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime.

RDL

# # #

Release ID: 13-082
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases