Royal Oak, Clawson Phony Worker Complaints May Be Linked: Police

Royal Oak, MI — A man accused of scamming money out of a 95-year-old woman in Clawson last week while posing as a water department worker may be connected to a similar incident that occurred in Royal Oak, police said.

A man showed up wearing a bright yellow workers’ vest last Tuesday at the woman’s home in the 900 block of Goodale.
“He quickly flashed an ID that the woman didn’t see and said he was there because the city was putting in new water lines,” said Clawson Police Lt. Scott Sarvello told The Daily Tribune. “He stepped in the house as she opened the door and said he had to go to the basement.” 

Police said the man turned on faucets throughout the woman’s house and told her she owed the water department $41 for checking the water lines. The woman told police that after she paid him and he found out where she kept her money, he stole another $100. 

Neighbors took up a collection to reimburse the woman for the stolen money.

Royal Oak Police Lt. Dave Clemens told Patch that it’s an ongoing investigation, but it’s “possible” the two incidents are connected. 

Clemens told Patch that unless homeowners knowingly hired a contractor or contacted the utility company to look at their house, they shouldn’t let workers inside. 

Residents who suspect someone is posing as a city employee should try to get a description of the person or a license plate number and report it to the police, he said.

Anyone with information should call the Royal Oak Police Criminal Investigation Division at (248) 246-3456.

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