Beware of “Water Department” Scam
(Lt. William Wilson, Ferndale Police Department, June 5, 2012)
On 06/04/12 at approximately 1430 hrs Ferndale officers responded to a larceny that just took place. The victim, a 80 year old man, reported that a “scam” was pulled on him by two Arab males. The suspects claimed to be from the water department and stole between $5,000-7,000 while he was distracted.
The victim said that the two suspects came to his door and said they were from the “water department”. The suspects told the victim that they had a truck on the street behind him and needed to check his residence since they were having problems in the area. The suspects claimed he was due a refund of $30 and gave him a $100 bill and asked for change. After the victim provided $70 change from his drawer in the bedroom, one suspect asked him to go to the basement to check the pipes. The second suspect was upstairs while they were checking the pipes, and after the suspects left the victim noticed money missing from his drawer.
He estimated that he had approximately $5000 to $7000 in his top dresser drawer that was stolen by the suspects.
The victim described both suspects as Arabic males with heavy accents. He said that the first suspect was approximately 40-45 yrs old and the second suspect was approximately 35 yrs old. They were last seen driving EB toward Hilton then SB in a gray 4 door vehicle.
This crime is to a similar incident that took place in Ferndale on 05/22/12. During that incident the suspects also attempted to get an elderly couple to change a
$100 bill after gaining entry into the residence through deceit. The incident involved an
Arabic male approximately 45 yrs old was the first suspect with a B/M as a second suspect. The suspects were seen leaving in a dark 4 door vehicle.
In both incidents the victims were probably seen working in their yards prior and were targeted randomly by the suspects who may have been driving in the area looking for older victims.
If someone suspicious tries to gain access to your home, contact Ferndale Police at (248) 541-3650.
