Police Captain: Beware of Deception Burglaries

From Baltimore County Police Department Capt. Martin Lurz: 

Folks,

You may have seen or heard recent media coverage of persons fraudulently purporting themselves to be public works or utility workers such as this one released today by our Media Relations Section:

"Baltimore County Police are asking the public to be cautious when approached by those who say they work for BGE.  BGE impostors are responsible for four recent deception burglaries: one on August 8, one on August 9, and two on August 10. The burglaries are not concentrated in any one particular area of the County. The impostors wear BGE like uniforms, and carry clipboards while some wear construction helmets. They tell the victim that some outside work needs to be done and walk the person outside. While the two are out of the house, an accomplice goes inside removing the victim's property."

For those who have been on our email tree for a long time, you may have read the information below many times before, including earlier this year. But, as you can see from what's written above, it bears repeating once again.

I have edited it a bit to make it a quicker read, but I am asking that you once again share this with your neighbors, especially the elderly, who seem more vulnerable to this type of crime. Explain to them how the scam works and it may help them to see the importance of verifying identification or calling 911. So far, none of these incidents have been reported within the boundaries of Precinct 7. 

Here goes:

Deception burglaries have one common theme—to get the homeowner distracted by getting them to walk into another room, or, more frequently, asking the homeowner to step outside and then getting them to move to the side or rear of the house (out of view) while a second suspect enters the house through the unlocked door and steals whatever is quickly accessible to them.

This second suspect is almost always out of the house before the homeowner re-enters.

Here's how it works:

The first suspect will come to the door, knock on the door or ring the doorbell, and use some type of ruse to win the confidence of the homeowner.

For example, the suspect may tell the homeowner that he works for a fence company (or satellite TV company...or roofing company...or landscaping company...you name it, they've tried it) and tell the homeowner that he or she needs to step outside with him and examine a portion of their property.

To gain the confidence of the homeowner, the suspect might say "he doesn't want to infringe on property lines, so he needs the owner to examine the line in the rear of the property." If the homeowner does step outside, he or she will generally leave the door unlocked and the first suspect will escort the homeowner around the back—out of view—of that door.

Sometimes, the first suspect will use a cell phone he is carrying to "call his boss...or the office...or Land Records..." when, in fact, he is ACTUALLY CALLING THE SECOND SUSPECT to let him or her know that entry into the home can now be made without detection.

Sometimes, the first suspect will remain on the phone the entire time and actually feed information back to the person who has entered the house. After about ten minutes, the first suspect and the homeowner will walk back into the house AFTER the second suspect has slipped out.

Sometimes, it may not be immediately apparent that items were stolen from the house (i.e. money and credit cards from a purse or wallet, jewelry, etc.) These burglars generally take smaller items that are easy to grab and conceal quickly.

That's how it works and we find that there are generally common themes to all of these types of burglaries:

1) A ruse or "scam" is used to gain trust and confidence.

2) The elderly are more likely to be a victim of these burglaries.

3) Distraction is a key element that allows an accomplice to enter the house while the owner is outside or out of sight of the door...which is usually left open or unlocked.

Keep in mind that there are variations to this "scam" burglar. Some scammers will use a ruse in which two subjects are allowed inside. One might ask for a glass of water. As the homeowner walks the one to the kitchen and engages in conversation, the second one slips off and very quickly steals small valuables.

Others use a Power Company / Water Department employee scam in which the suspect says he or she is an employee of one of the companies and needs to get to the basement to investigate a "problem in the lines or the pipes." When the homeowner walks that person down to the basement, the second suspect enters and steals the valuables.

Please remember—and make sure your neighbors know too—DO NOT let anyone that you do not know and trust into your house. Employees of BGE and the City Water Department carry photo ID and do not mind being challenged for proof of employment.

My suggestion is that you don't stop there—CALL the appropriate agency for verification. For BGE, the contact number is 410-685-0123. For Baltimore City Public Works/Water, county residents should call 410-396-5352.

Do not call any number provided by the alleged employee because, if the person at the door is trying to scam you, the number he or she provides is probably the cell phone number of the second suspect who will tell you, yes, it's perfectly OK to let that person into your house!

So, call the numbers I have provided for you. Better yet, if you are really suspicious, tell the person you are calling 911. A legitimate employee will wait for the police... the deception burglars won't.

Remember too that those Precinct 7 residents who have well water and live outside the area of home water service provided by Baltimore City, should not be visited by such a representative!

Finally, these burglars seem to bounce around the entire county and parts of the surrounding jurisdictions. Now that you know how it works and the myriad of scenarios that are used, I hope you can see the common threads that I wrote about.

Here's where we need your help—stay alert and get this word out, especially to your elderly neighbors, family members and friends. Awareness is the key. Tell them to call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity.

Memorize the suspect's appearance (scars, marks, anything unusual.) If a vehicle description can safely be obtained (look to the license plate number...write it on your hand if you have to) provide that to the 911 operator so the officers can start looking right away. Be alert, be aware and be curious. Make that call to 911.

Thanks for your help....please pass this along.

Captain Martin Lurz

BCoPD Precinct 7