Man Pretends To Be From Water Dept, Newton Police Warn Of Scam

NEWTON, MA — Newton police are warning residents about a man they say pretended to be a water department worker to get into the home of an 82-year-old woman in the Nonantum, Newtonville area Thursday and used that guise to steal from her.

Police are on the look out for the man and are reminding residents not to ever let anyone into their home without knowing for sure who they are. Something similar happened in Newton this fall. Related: Man Pretending To Be From Water Dept: Newton Police

City officials say the only time an employee of water and sewer division will come to your door is in the event of an emergency, a previously scheduled appointment or from a loss of water from the metering system. And before a scheduled visit, someone will call you from the billing office at city hall.

Newton employees will have a City Of Newton Identification badge with the employee’s picture on it and clothing that identifies them as someone from Newton Utilities or DPW.

Also, the employee will be driving either a yellow or white vehicle with the City Of Newton seal on it and every city vehicle will have the telltale blue municipal registration plates.

A woman called police Friday to report that Thursday, a man with an ID with an American flag on it hanging from his neck, came to her door saying he was from the Water Department and needed to come inside to check the water.

She allowed him into her home, and together they went into the kitchen. He then had her turn the water faucet on, and kept her busy talking about the possibility of her tap water not being clean, according to police.

Although the Newton resident she didn't see anyone else, the woman said he appeared to occasionally talk in another language with someone else. She told police the man told her he came from Poland, but she said she thought the accent did not appear to be European.

The woman told police the man was in her home for about 35 minutes, and she stayed with him in the kitchen. She said she didn't notice any car or vehicle outside when he left.

It wasn't until the following morning that she found that some jewelry and cash were missing.

Police said it appears that someone else had come into her home while she was in the kitchen with the man. Now they're asking for the public's help in keeping watch for a man. The Newton resident described him as white, in his mid-30s with dark hair, with some facial hair, and wearing a dark winter stocking cap, a light brown jacket, rust colored pants and sneakers.

If you're in doubt about whether someone is really who they say they are police advise you call them at 617 796-2100. In the event someone is trying to force their way into your home they remind residents to call 911.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, police ask you call 617 796-2104 or use the “Anonymous Tips Line” at 617 796-2121.

RELATED:

• Man Pretending To Be From Water Dept: Newton Police (Oct. 2018)
• Police Log: Man Posed as City Contractor in Possible Scam (Dec. 2018)

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff. Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).