Several York County police departments are warning residents about men who are posing as water district workers to gain access to homes and valuables, managing in one case to steal jewelry.
Police in Ogunquit, North Berwick and Wells warned residents Friday and described a theft associated with the scam.
A man approached an elderly female on Agamenticus Road in Ogunquit around 4 p.m. Thursday, said he was from the water district and requested access to the kitchen to check the pipes. While that man distracted the resident, a second man entered the victim’s bedroom and stole jewelry. The suspects fled when they were questioned, police said in a Facebook post.
North Berwick police also took a report of a man who tried to talk his way into a home in town by claiming to be a representative of the water district, according to a warning posted on Facebook Friday. Two other men waited in the car, police said.
“The male that spoke with the resident tried to get into the house, stating that they needed to examine the water and sewer systems claiming (there) might be contamination,” police wrote. “The male left the scene when the resident explained they were going to have a relative come over to assist them.”
Police in Ogunquit said the man who talked to the victim was 45 to 50 years old, 5-foot-8, had no teeth and was wearing a dirty white T-shirt with a tan stripe. The second man was about the same age and height, but had a heavy build and was wearing a dirty gray T-shirt and a ball cap. They fled in a midsized black SUV with an open rear hatch. They were last seen heading toward Route 1.
North Berwick police described one of the suspects in that incident as a young dark-haired man with facial hair and a slight build. Police did not provide descriptions of the other men. They were last seen in a black sedan with no front license place.
Police encouraged residents to immediately report any similar suspicious behavior and, if possible, collect information such as a license plate number.
Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:
ggraham@pressherald.com
Twitter: grahamgillian
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