Crime & Safety
Distraction Scammers Posing As Water Company Target Elderly: SPD
Springfield Police are warning residents about a distraction scam that targeted an elderly resident in the township on Wednesday.
SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Springfield Police are warning residents about a distraction scam that targeted an elderly resident in the township on Wednesday.
On May 15, two men using fake IDs and posing as water company employees knocked on the elderly homeowner's door in the Woodcrest Circle area, claiming there was a water issue at the address, Springfield Police said.
One of the men then asked the resident to stay in the kitchen sink or wait in the basement with one of them as part of the distraction. Then the other man entered the house and attempted to commit a burglary, police said.
Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Both men left the home without stealing any of the homeowner’s belongings. The suspects are described as two men driving a silver minivan possibly with an Uber sign in the front window, police said.
This incident remains under investigation. Any suspicious activity should immediately be reported to the Springfield Police at 973-376-0400.
Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.