Royal Oak Residents Warned of ‘Water Department’ Imposter Scam
(City of Royal Oak, July 2, 2014)
The Royal Oak Police Department is investigating a Larceny that occurred in the 1100 block of Cherokee. A Royal Oak resident called the police department on July 1, 2014 at 2:27 p.m. to report a larceny. The resident stated two (2) subjects arrived at his residence claiming they were Water Department employees and needed to check the water meter.
Before the homeowner could respond, the subjects entered the home. One of the subjects immediately went to the basement with the homeowner while the second subject was left unattended upstairs. After briefly checking the basement both subjects left the home abruptly. They got into a newer, black SUV or mini-van and left the area in an unknown direction.
After they left, the homeowner contacted the Water Department and learned the subjects were not Water Department employees. He checked his residence and discovered an undisclosed amount of currency was missing from a dresser drawer in his bedroom and reported the crime.
Suspect #1 was described as a white male, 5’6”, late 30’s, short straight black hair, and heavy set.
Suspect #2 was described as a black male with a medium complexion, 6’ 0”, mid 30’s, and heavy set. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with an unknown design on the front and blue/gray pants or jeans.
A similar incident was reported on July 1, 2014 at 5:21 p.m. in the 4200 block of Seminole. In this incident a white male in his late 40’s, wearing a blue plaid shirt came to the door claiming to be from the Water Department. The homeowner did not open the door and yelled to her son to come downstairs. By the time her son came downstairs the suspect left the area in an unknown direction.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the suspects should call Lt. David Clemens at (248) 246-3456.
The Oakland County 115 has reported on other scams in the past. Here are previous stories to make readers aware of what other potential scams could be out there, including a similar scam in Ferndale last year:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/06/beware-of-property-deed-scam-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/25/sheriffs-dept-warns-of-jury-duty-fine-phone-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/13/savvy-senior-avoids-getting-tricked-by-scam/
ttp://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/05/beware-of-125-corporation-filing-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/08/beware-of-online-ticket-purchasing-scams/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/07/02/beware-of-text-message-scammers/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/06/05/beware-of-water-dept-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/02/19/police-report-businesses-beware-of-fire-inspection-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/
Before the homeowner could respond, the subjects entered the home. One of the subjects immediately went to the basement with the homeowner while the second subject was left unattended upstairs. After briefly checking the basement both subjects left the home abruptly. They got into a newer, black SUV or mini-van and left the area in an unknown direction.
After they left, the homeowner contacted the Water Department and learned the subjects were not Water Department employees. He checked his residence and discovered an undisclosed amount of currency was missing from a dresser drawer in his bedroom and reported the crime.
Suspect #1 was described as a white male, 5’6”, late 30’s, short straight black hair, and heavy set.
Suspect #2 was described as a black male with a medium complexion, 6’ 0”, mid 30’s, and heavy set. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with an unknown design on the front and blue/gray pants or jeans.
A similar incident was reported on July 1, 2014 at 5:21 p.m. in the 4200 block of Seminole. In this incident a white male in his late 40’s, wearing a blue plaid shirt came to the door claiming to be from the Water Department. The homeowner did not open the door and yelled to her son to come downstairs. By the time her son came downstairs the suspect left the area in an unknown direction.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the suspects should call Lt. David Clemens at (248) 246-3456.
The Oakland County 115 has reported on other scams in the past. Here are previous stories to make readers aware of what other potential scams could be out there, including a similar scam in Ferndale last year:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/06/beware-of-property-deed-scam-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/25/sheriffs-dept-warns-of-jury-duty-fine-phone-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/13/savvy-senior-avoids-getting-tricked-by-scam/
ttp://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/05/beware-of-125-corporation-filing-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/08/beware-of-online-ticket-purchasing-scams/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/07/02/beware-of-text-message-scammers/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/06/05/beware-of-water-dept-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/02/19/police-report-businesses-beware-of-fire-inspection-scam/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/11/william-riley-teaches-seniors-to-avoid-crime-video/