Newark Police are warning residents of two recent scam incidents where men claimed to be water department employees and attempted to enter the homes of elderly residents.
The first incident occurred on September 14th at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Phillips Avenue. During this incident the elderly resident answered a knock at her door and was approached by a white male, 23-27 years of age, wearing an orange construction vest.
The male entered the residence, claimed he was there to test the water, and requested further entry into the residence. The resident requested identification and when he declined to produce ID, she refused and pushed the victim out of the home, locking the door. The male left in what was described as a white pickup truck.
The second incident occurred on September 15th, at 4:15p.m. in the 400 Block of Orchard Road.
The elderly resident answered a knock at her door and saw a white male wearing an orange construction vest. The male claimed to be a City of Newark Water Department employee who needed to test water. The resident requested ID and did not let the man into the home. He drove away in a white box style truck.
Previous incidents where such individuals entered homes often resulted in thefts.
The Newark Police Department noted that all city employees are required to carry City of Newark identification cards and must present them upon request. In Delaware, all door-to-door selling requires IDs.
Residents are encouraged to report all suspicious vehicles and persons to the police by dialing 911.
