Fake Utility Workers Rob Victim In Home
Claiming to be utility workers, a pair of crooks duped an 89-year-old Forest Hills man into letting them into his home, then robbed him last Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 14, according to police.
The suspects were described by law enforcement agents as two men believed to be in their 20s with dark complexions, standing at 6′-tall and weighing about 200 pounds each.
They were last observed wearing white t-shirts and fleeing inside a red late-model Jeep SUV. An image of the getaway vehicle was captured by a nearby security camera and re- leased by police in their appeal for the public’s help to track down the perpetrators.
Authorities said the robbery took place at 2 p.m. last Tuesday at a residence located in Forest Hills within the confines of the 112th Precinct. Police did not disclose the exact address of the location.
Reportedly, the two men knocked on the door of the 89-year-old man’s home and claimed to be from the “water department.”
When the victim opened the door, NYPD sources said, the two men then pushed their way inside and forced the senior citizen to a room located in the rear of the house.
Holding the 89-year-old man at bay, authorities noted, the suspects then removed a cell phone and an undisclosed sum of money, then fled from the location.
Members of the 112th Precinct responded to the scene. The victim was not injured.
The case was presented to the NYPD Queens Robbery Squad for further investigation, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-577-TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
