Full Notification

The Montclair Police Department is seeking information regarding a burglary suspect posing as a City worker. An elderly woman residing in the City of Montclair had a subject knock on her door posing as a City employee. The suspect displayed a fraudulent City of Montclair picture identification card and was wearing an unofficial, but professional appearing city uniform. The suspect told her he needed to measure her property line, because the city was going to replace the telephone poles in her backyard. Once the victim was lured into the backyard a second suspect entered her residence through the unlocked front door. The original suspect called someone believed to be the second suspect while in the backyard and had a conversation in Spanish. The victim was distracted for approximately 30 minutes. During the time the victim was distracted, the second suspect ransacked the residence seeking valuables. After approximately 30 minutes the original suspect abruptly told the victim he was done and needed to leave. When the suspects left, the victim realized her bedroom drawers had been opened and property was missing. The victim confirmed a pair of vintage earrings was missing and an envelope containing an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency.

The Montclair Police Department reminds its residents to be wary of anyone who appears to be an employee of the City or any utility and without a prior appointment asks for access into their home or yard. Unless an emergency exists, residents will be notified by the City or utility in advance of any service. If the service is unscheduled or if you are unsure if the service call is legitimate, you should call the Montclair Police Department to check the validity of the service.

Persons with information related to this crime are urged to call the Montclair Police Department at (909) 621-4771. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME. Tipsters providing information leading to arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the crime may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.