UPDATED: "Water Company Scam" Hits Hamden

Police issued a press release Monday afternoon about the water company scam that happened to a Hamden resident Saturday afternoon:

On January 28th Hamden Police responded to a Blake Road residence on the report of a home invasion.

Investigation revealed that an 85-year-old female resident answered a knock at her front door. An individual, described as a white male, “young, small and slim”, wearing a brown jacket, advised her that he worked for the water company. The individual told the elderly resident that a water main had broken and that her drinking water had been contaminated. They then walked around the house.

Moments later, the individual stated that he needed to enter her home to examine the basement. A second individual then attempted to enter. The first individual, who was in the possession of a hand-held radio, then proceeded to the basement with the resident for approximately 10 minutes.

A short time thereafter, the homeowner’s neighbor entered her home and called out her name. The individual in the basement subsequently fled up the stairs and out of the house. Located on the front steps, officers found 2 bags containing silver items.

Further investigation revealed that the 2 individuals stole at least 2 bags of personal belongings. They entered a vehicle, described as a “white SUV type.” The vehicle contained a third individual, described as a female with longer hair. The vehicle, which had dark tinted windows, fled westbound on Blake Road.

The keen observation of the neighbor may have prevented a larger scale theft and/or a physical assault from occurring.

The Hamden Police Department would like to make the public aware of this potential scheme. We advise all residents to check the individual’s credentials and call the alleged company that they are representing before allowing anyone in their home. If a homeowner is suspicious, contact the police immediately. 

Posted Sunday:

An elderly Whitneyville woman was the victim of a classic scam Saturday where men posing as water company employees gained entrance to her home and robbed her.

The woman, who lives alone, was approached by two or three men, according to reports, who said they were from the water company and that a water main had been damaged and they had to run her water "to get rid of impurities."

A neighbor noticed the men loading items from the woman's house into an SUV and went into the house to see what was going on, according to reports. The victim was in the basement with one of the men, who had the water running to drown out the sounds of the other men's activity.

When the neighbor went down to the basement, the man fled the house, according to reports. The neighbor noticed that there were bags of silver dishes on the porch that apparently the men intended to take, and called police.

It wasn't clear Saturday how much the men were able to steal from the home. 

Police and utility company officials -- electric, gas and water -- warn customers not to let anyone in their homes without the person showing proper identification and wearing the proper uniforms. All legitimate utility workers will carry proper identification.