South Bay : UTILITY HEIST
Three men posing as utility inspectors stole thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels, cash and rare coins from two elderly Gardena women in back-to-back daylight robberies.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is cautioning South Bay residents to ask for photo identification from strangers calling themselves utility workers.
The purported inspectors entered the women’s homes last week after explaining that they were seeking tap-water samples, DWP spokesman Jim Derry said. The robberies followed the same pattern: One man led the resident into her kitchen while the other two men--who were supposedly inspecting the bathrooms--ransacked the house.
To confirm the identity of DWP workers, residents can call (800) 342-5397.
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