The arrest of two alleged burglars using underhand tactics to distract trusting residents with the intention of ripping them off has prompted Auckland City Police to appeal for information about similar events in and around Epsom of late.
Two men – a 19 year-old and a 23 year-old – were arrested yesterday afternoon after their activities on a King Edward Ave property were observed by the neighbour of an elderly resident who believed she was dealing with Council workers.
The neighbour notified Police when she saw one of the men on the roof of the woman’s house while the other was distracting her at the front of her property posing as a Council worker.
Acting Eastern Area Commander, Inspector Vaughn Graham says, after speaking with the victim, it became clear that at least one of the men had been planning to rip the woman off for at least a week.
“The victim has told us one of those arrested called around to her property last week and advised he was working for the Council and would be returning in a week to relocate pipes near her letterbox.
“He was wearing a long-sleeved high visibility vest and, according to the victim, was quite plausible. We now know he had worked on construction in the area in the past.
“While we’re obviously very pleased to have made the arrests yesterday, it’s concerning that people are prepared to go to such lengths to predate on trusting home owners who have no reason to question the authenticity of those who say they represent legitimate organisations.”
Mr Graham advised anyone in the area who’d had a similar experience recently to contact Police. He said those who had concerns about people calling to their properties should request they prove, by producing formal identification, that they are who they say they are.
"People can always call Police on 111 if they have suspicions about people who are on their property," Mr Graham said.
The 19 year-old Grey Lynn man was charged with burglary was bailed to appear in the Auckland District Court today. The 23 year-old Manurewa man was held in custody overnight and will also appear in the Auckland District Court today charged with burglary and other dishonesty offences.
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Issued by Noreen Hegarty, Auckland City District communications manager