UPDATED: Reports Of Fake Utility Workers Tricking Senior Citizens, Stealing From Their Homes

Date Added: April 15, 2018 5:46 pm

Andrew Gant
Laura Williams
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

UPDATE, 4/18: VCSO INVESTIGATING ANOTHER DISTRACTION BURGLARY, THIS TIME IN DELTONA

Residents: Beware of fake workers trying to gain access to your home!

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a home burglary in which an 84-year-old resident was tricked by a suspect claiming to be a Deltona water department employee while an accomplice snuck into the home and pried open a safe. This incident may be related to a similar burglary at the home of a 90-year-old victim in DeBary.

The Deltona burglary occurred around 12:30 p.m. Saturday and was reported to VCSO this week. The victim told deputies he was at his home on Dixie Belle Avenue when a man claiming to be a Deltona Water employee told him he was investigating a water line break. The suspect entered the home via a garage entry door and told the victim to run his kitchen faucet for several minutes, which he did. The suspect walked into the victim’s living room and peered out the window while talking to the victim. The male suspect left the home in about 10 minutes.

But later in the day, the victim discovered a bedroom safe had been pried open and burglarized. He believes a second suspect entered his home while he was being distracted by the first suspect.

Detectives are investigating both of these cases. We encourage all residents to be very skeptical of strangers who show up unexpectedly and use pressure and scare tactics to gain access to their home. If someone approaches and claims to represent a city utility or the power company, residents are advised not to let the person in and instead call the company to find out if they are legitimate.

"Please, watch out for your neighbors," Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. "If you see something suspicious, speak up. Let’s help protect vulnerable people from becoming victims of these low-life criminals."

Please report these cases of suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Office by calling 911 in an emergency, or on the non-emergency line at 386-248-1777.

FAKE POWER WORKER TRICKS 90-YEAR-OLD VICTIM IN DISTRACTION BURGLARY

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating a report of a distraction burglary in which a suspect told a 90-year-old woman he was with the power company while an accomplice stole cash from a bedroom drawer. 

The burglary occurred Friday evening on Gardenia Avenue in DeBary, where the victim told deputies a stranger started banging on her door around 5:45 p.m. She answered, and the male at the door claimed he was with the power company and her power was due to be shut off soon.

The victim wisely told the stranger she wouldn't open the door, but he insisted enough to convince her to let him onto her back screened porch. While she was preoccupied with him, a second suspect came into her house. The first suspect kept the victim distracted for several minutes.

When a family member came home, it was discovered several bedroom drawers had been rifled through and cash was stolen.

Deputies are continuing to investigate the case and ask all residents to be skeptical of strangers who show up unexpectedly and use pressure and scare tactics to gain access inside.  

Please report these cases of suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Office at 911 in an emergency, or on the non-emergency line at 386-248-1777.