NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, SportsAlbany police warn of thieves claiming they work for the water dept.

Albany police warn of thieves claiming they work for the water dept.

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Albany Police Department is investigating a incident on Marion Avenue that occurred last week in which two men came to the home of an elderly couple and claimed to work for the water department to get inside their house.

The two suspects knocked on the door of the couple's home around 2:00 p.m. on February 14 saying they worked for the water department and needed to check the water. When the men entered, they started searching around. After a few minutes, the couple asked the men to leave which they did. At this time nothing was stolen from inside the house.

On the same day a similar incident occurred in Clifton Park. One man came to the door of an elderly couple while a second man stayed in a vehicle. The man said he was from the water department and he needed to check the water. He went around the house and checked the faucets and toilets and then left. The couple discovered jewelry missing after the man left.

Last July Albany police also took a report with a similar motive. A man knocked on the door of a elderly woman's house and said he was there to check the water in the house. She let him inside and while distracting the victim he stole $200 out of a dresser drawer.

The description on the suspects are white or Hispanic males.

Albany police are offering the following safety tips:

• Residents should be reminded that anyone representing a city or town agency should have proper identification on them at all times that identifies who they work for.
• Most agencies require employees to wear uniforms that identify that agency as well and drive vehicles that are well marked.
• Residents should ask to see the identification before letting anyone inside their home and if they feel the person is misrepresenting themselves they should call the police immediately.