Florida Men Pose As Water Department Workers In Break-In: PD

STOUGHTON, MA — Police identified two men accused of posing as employees with the water department to break-in in to a Stoughton home. One of suspects has since been arrested.

Paul Mitchell, 45, of Florida was arrested and charged with breaking and entering during the day with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $1,200 and conspiracy to commit a crime. Stoughton Police said Stanley Mitchell, 28, of Florida hasn't been caught, but a warrant was put out for his arrest.

On Feb. 2, Stanley Mitchell got out of an SUV Paul Mitchell was driving, and knocked on the door of a house on Halliden Place. Police said a woman answered the door, and Stanley Mitchell pointed at his lanyard, telling the woman he was from the water department.

According to police the suspect shoved the woman and demanded to see the water meter. After leading Stanley Mitchell to the basement, the woman realized the man didn't work for the town. She tried to call 911, but the suspect ripped the phone from her hand, tried to rip it off the wall, and then escaped through the basement, which was caught on security video from a nearby house.

Police said Paul Mitchell rented the SUV as was the getaway driver, but he also went inside and stole items during the break-in. The break-in launched an investigation involving several other towns. Police said Paul Mitchell has a warrant for his arrest in Wilmington.

"Our department launched a massive investigation that spread from Massachusetts to New York, Virginia, Delaware, and Florida, " Stoughton police said in a statement. "These two men committed similar offenses in other communities in Massachusetts."

Last week, members of the Palm Beach County Sheriffs office found Paul Mitchell's whereabouts and executed and arrested him in West Palm Beach, Florida. State police detectives flew to Florida to take Mitchell into custody. He was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on Friday.