Fake Water Service Check Leads To Theft In Arlington: Police

ARLINGTON, MA – Police are warning residents about fake water service checks after a pair of men allegedly stole cash from a woman's home while posing as construction workers. The woman called police on Thursday, Oct. 18 around 11:30 a.m. to report a theft the day before.

She told police a man who claimed to be a construction worker said he needed to check her water pipes because he was working behind her home. She let him inside and went with him to the basement, where he appeared to inspect the pipes, according to police. She told police a second man was outside by a parked SUV.

The woman noticed several items out of place the next morning and saw that an envelope containing cash had been taken from a dresser, police said.

The suspect who entered the woman's home is described as a 5-foot-7, 200-pound man with an olive complexion and a dark baseball cap.

"Residents should never let anyone unfamiliar enter their homes, and should always take extreme care when talking to someone who arrives at their home unannounced in the way these individuals did," Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. "If an unknown individual arrives at your home, you should not hesitate to call the Arlington Police Department and ask for an officer’s assistance in confirming someone’s identity."

Employees from the Arlington Department of Public Works or the Water and Sewer Division will always properly identify themselves, according to police. Residents should keep the following in mind:

• The Arlington DPW will always try to schedule non-emergency appointments prior to anyone showing up at the residence. This may be done via telephone but in most cases via written notice.
• DPW employees will be operating marked DPW vehicles and wearing clothing with the Arlington DPW logo.
• Most importantly – DPW workers are issued a picture ID from the Arlington Police Department clearly identifying them as a DPW employee. If they do not have this ID citizens should refuse access to the home and contact the APD immediately.

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