Full Notification

Recently we had a residential burglary involving two men posing as Cable employees.

Suspect #1: Male White early 50's, 5'4”, medium build, thick mustache, wearing a blue shirt and pants.

Suspect #2: Unknown

One of the men knocked on the victim's front door stating he was an employee of Cox Communications. The subject then stated that he was there because “Cox Communications “would be upgrading a distribution box on a utility pole located in his backyard. The victim closed the front door and went to the backyard unlocking the gate for him. Once in the backyard the subject began sketching something on his clipboard. After an hour the victim escorted the subject out of his yard. As the victim entered his residence he noticed several items had been moved and several other items out of place.

The victim surmises that while he and the suspect were in the backyard his accomplice entered the residence and stole the victim's property in a matter of minutes.

Similar crimes have occurred involving roof inspections, contaminated water and water leaks. Elderly victims are often the target of these ruses. Con artists are slick, so keep your guard up. If you were not expecting anyone, explain that you need to check they are legitimate and ask them to wait outside for a few minutes. Take a note of their name and the company they claim to be working for and then close and lock the door. Look up the phone number for the company in a telephone directory or internet and check they have an employee of that name and that they are visiting you on legitimate business. Never just take someone’s word for it and don’t use any phone number they give you to check their identity – you don’t know if it’s a genuine number.

If you desire to submit a tip anonymously, please visit the OC Crime Stoppers web site at http://www.occrimestoppers.org

Emergency or Crime in Progress: 9-1-1
Dispatch (For a Report or suspicious activity): (714) 573-3225