Cops: Man Poses as Water Department While Accomplice Steals from Elderly Couple

Nassau County Police are searching for a man they say posed as a water department official and burglarized a home belonging to an elderly couple.

Cops said the husband and wife, both 81, were inside their home on North Cottage Street in Valley Stream when someone knocked on their door. The subject claimed he was from the water department and needed to check the water pressure in the basement of the home, police said.

While the first man distracted the couple for 15 minutes, a second subject came into the house and stole an unknown amount of cash, cops said.

The burglary happened at 6 p.m. Monday, cops said.

The couple discovered they had been burglarized and called the police, who found the water company did not dispatch any employees to their home.

The first subject was described as a white man, 30-40 years old, 5-foot-10, average build, and had dark hair. He was wearing a light colored t-shirt, shorts, and a lanyard around his neck at the time.

No description was available for the second subject.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

This latest “distraction burglary” is one of many in Nassau County in recent months where burglars pose as surveyors and distract homeowners in conversation.