BURBANK : Home Robbed by 3 Police Impersonators

Three well-dressed men posing as plainclothes police officers robbed a 75-year-old man in his home, prompting the Burbank Police Department to caution residents about opening their doors to strangers.

Dressed in business suits, the men told retiree Perry Ronan that he was in trouble with the government after arriving at his home in the 800 block of Parish Place on Monday evening, police said.

They reportedly slammed Ronan against a wall, handcuffed him and ordered him to sit in a chair before stealing guns, jewelry and cash inside his home.

Police were still searching Tuesday for the bandits, who fled in a large burgundy car.

“It was a very smooth operation,” said Police Lt. Don Brown. “Our warning is don’t open your door to anyone until you verify who they are. Regular officers won’t mind waiting until you verify who they are.”

Impersonations of police officers are a growing problem for law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles County, Brown said.

Unwitting victims can protect themselves, he added, by demanding to see an officer’s badge and confirming his or her identity with the Police Department.

Even when plainclothes detectives arrive unexpectedly at someone’s front door with a search warrant or an arrest warrant, they will typically be surrounded by several uniformed officers, Brown said.