Woman Averts Possible Ruse Burglary Making 'Water Company Employee' Wait Outside

A man who said he was an employee from a water company was knocking on residents’ doors and informing them that he was checking tap water for “contamination,” Darien police reported.

Around 3 p.m. Aug. 29, a resident in the 300 block of Janet reported a man knocking her back door who said he needed to get into her house to check the clarity of water for possible contamination.

The woman told the man to wait outside while she went to obtain a glass of water.

Police said the man entered the residence but remained in the doorway after he was observed by another person in the house.

The man told the woman the water looked fine and left. He was described as Hispanic in his 50s, 5-foot-8-inches, with black hair and a moustache. The man wore a yellow shirt with no company logo.

Darien Police strongly recommend that residents take the following safety precautions:

• Keep storm or screen doors locked at all times to provide a secure barrier
• Do not allow anyone entry to your resident that you have not personally contacted and/or arranged an appointment.
• Call 911 to report anything suspicious. Darien police will come out to your residence to verify a work order or identity.
• Remain vigilant to your neighbors as well.

Review these tips with older family members and neighbors.