Thieves posing as utility workers target elderly couple
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Thieves posing as utility workers target elderly couple

Suspects make off with East Allegheny couple's jewelry

North Side Safe Streets
North Side Safe Streets
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Thieves posing as utility workers target elderly couple
Suspects make off with East Allegheny couple's jewelry
Police are looking for a group of men, posing as utility workers, who made their way into an East Allegheny home and stole jewelry.The couple live on Chestnut Street and say they heard a knock on their back door. When they opened it, a man identified himself as a water company worker and told them that the gas was mixing with water and they needed to get inside.Several men entered the home and asked the couple to wait in the living room.  The couple told Pittsburgh police that the men were dressed in orange vests and white hard hats. Some of them went to the basement, while others went into other rooms.When the homeowner grew suspicious, she tried to call police. She told officers that the man who knocked on the door grabbed the phone from her hand and all of the men left the house.When police arrived, she noticed her jewelry was missing and several items were misplaced.Neighbors heard about the crime and say now their guard is up."I'm concerned because for one thing, they're an older couple. And older couples are usually, tend to be taken advantage of. And I think that's a shame," said neighbor Raphael Walton. "These people that are just going around, nonchalant and just walking and knocking on doors, it does become a little unnerving."Police advise residents that if you did not call the utility company, call them and ask if service is being done in the area. Also, check for proper credentials displayed in plain view that announces the company, along with a photo ID. Above all else, follow your instincts and do not let anyone who appears to be suspicious inside.  Instead, call 911.

Police are looking for a group of men, posing as utility workers, who made their way into an East Allegheny home and stole jewelry.

The couple live on Chestnut Street and say they heard a knock on their back door. When they opened it, a man identified himself as a water company worker and told them that the gas was mixing with water and they needed to get inside.

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Several men entered the home and asked the couple to wait in the living room.  The couple told Pittsburgh police that the men were dressed in orange vests and white hard hats. Some of them went to the basement, while others went into other rooms.

When the homeowner grew suspicious, she tried to call police. She told officers that the man who knocked on the door grabbed the phone from her hand and all of the men left the house.

When police arrived, she noticed her jewelry was missing and several items were misplaced.

Neighbors heard about the crime and say now their guard is up.

"I'm concerned because for one thing, they're an older couple. And older couples are usually, tend to be taken advantage of. And I think that's a shame," said neighbor Raphael Walton. "These people that are just going around, nonchalant and just walking and knocking on doors, it does become a little unnerving."

Police advise residents that if you did not call the utility company, call them and ask if service is being done in the area. Also, check for proper credentials displayed in plain view that announces the company, along with a photo ID. Above all else, follow your instincts and do not let anyone who appears to be suspicious inside.  Instead, call 911.