Man posing as Montclair city worker suspected…
Man posing as Montclair city worker suspected in burglary
By Ali Tadayon | atadayon@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
MONTCLAIR >> A man posed as a City of Montclair worker aided in the burglary of a woman Saturday, according to authorities.
The man knocked on the woman's door about 7 p.m. Saturday in the 5300 block of Kinglsey Street dressed in a "professional-appearing city uniform," according to a Montclair Police Department news release. When the woman — described in the news release as "elderly" — came to the door, he showed her a fake ID card and told her that he needed to measure her property line because the city was going to replace the telephone poles in her backyard.
While the woman and the fake city worker went to the backyard, another suspect entered the home through the front door — which was unlocked — the news release said. Police believe the fake city worker then called the other suspect, and the two had a conversation in Spanish.
The fake city worker distracted the woman for about a half-hour while the other suspect "ransacked the residence seeking valuables," the news release said.
The fake city worker abruptly told the victim he was finished and needed to leave. After he left, the victim realized her two bedroom drawers had been opened and a pair of vintage earrings and envelope with cash inside were stolen. The Police Department valued the stolen items to be worth about $500.
The Police Department asks people to be wary of anyone who asks for access to their homes without prior appointment. Unless there's an emergency, city and utility officials will notify residents of any service in advance. If the service is unscheduled or if you are unsure if the worker is legitimate, you can call the Police Department to check the validity, the news release said.
The suspects remain at large, and the Police Department asks that anyone with additional information call 909-621-4771. Tips can be submitted anonymously at 1-800-782-7463. Tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of the thieves could result in an award up to $1,000.
Ali Tadayon | Reporter
Ali Tadayon primarily covers crime in western Riverside County for the Southern California News Group. Tadayon joined the Press-Enterprise breaking news team in 2015, after working as the cops and courts reporter for the Post-Register in Idaho Falls, Idaho. A Southern California native, Tadayon spends his free time surfing, hiking, and hanging out with his blue heeler. Tadayon graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2013 with a Journalism degree.
atadayon@scng.com
Follow Ali Tadayon @PE_alitadayon
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