Courtesy of Mountain View Police Department

Scamming trio strikes again

By Kristen Munson / Daily News Staff Writer

The same day law enforcement agencies from around Santa Clara County met to snap a streak of burglaries, a trio of wanted bandits apparently struck again.

A resident of unincorporated county land near Dry Creek Road and Leigh Avenue flagged down a Campbell police officer around 8 a.m. Wednesday after three men tried to gain access to his home by representing themselves as water company employees.

The men were described as Hispanic and were wearing orange vests and driving a white minivan that has been associated with similar burglaries, according to police reports.

The men asked the resident if they could enter the home to "check the water pressure" but fled after the resident, who is retired, asked for identification, police said.

The incident may be linked to a rash of about 30 similar incidents beginning this summer and taking place in the South Bay and Peninsula.

"More than likely they're related," said Santa Clara County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Dan Rodriguez.

Most of the victims have been elderly and police are investigating how the men are targeting this particular group.

"They're going after elderly people who may be a little more vulnerable," said Sheriff's Deputy Serg Palanov. "Obviously they're figuring out (where they live) ... we don't know how they're targeting them."

The scam seems to run the same way each time: The suspects approach a residence posing as water district utility workers and ask to enter the home to check the water. While one of them distracts the victim, the others pocket money and jewelry.

The largest heist occurred in Saratoga where thieves made off with about $70,000 in jewelry and travelers checks, Rodriguez said.

So far, the men have not been violent with their victims. When foiled by residents asking for identification the men have left, but police are concerned they may become violent.

"We're just trying to put the word out there," Rodriguez said. "They're out there. It's (happening) from Morgan Hill all the way up to San Mateo and San Francisco."

Police agencies throughout the Bay Area are on the same page and working together to end the crime wave, he said. Six law enforcement agencies met Wednesday in Mountain View to alert Bay Area residents about the scam.

Police have described the men as Hispanic with brown hair, between 35 and 40 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches, and weighing 180 to 200 pounds.

Police want residents to be wary when opening the door to individuals claiming to be utilities employees and to ask for identification. Typically, actual employees will set up appointments in advance, which can be verified through the company.

"People shouldn't be showing up out of the blue," Palanov said.

E-mail Kristen Munson at kmunson@dailynewsgroup.com.