Phony water workers caught on tape

By Dan Gesslein

A trio of phony water workers have hit Manhattan as well as struck several times throughout the Bronx. Cops have released video of the con men Con Ed workers in an attempt to arrest the thieves who have ben targeting the elderly.

Investigators have linked the three men, whom they believed struck five times in the Bronx from Pelham Bay to Riverdale, to a robbery in the West Village last week. On February 16, the trio talked their way into an 80-year-old woman’s apartment on Barrow Street posing as plumbers. One of the group talked the woman into letting him into the apartment to perform work. While the senior was distracted, the two accomplices slipped into the apartment and removed jewelry from the bedroom. 

Last week police released a sketch of a man they said robbed five houses throughout the Bronx from Pelham Bay to Riverdale. The thief posed as a Con Edison worker who targets victims age 69 and over. In each case the phony utility worker claims he needs to check the water pressure in the house. Once inside, one of the thieves goes with the home owner to check the water meter while his partner ransacks the home for valuables.

Home owners should be aware that Con Edison workers do not check water meters. 

The con men Con Ed workers usually strike during the early afternoon hours and target elderly home owners. The pattern began on December 19 when the thieves robbed a home on Willow Lane near Pelham Bay Station. The con men then struck in Williamsbridge on January 3. The next victim was a Riverdale resident on Irwin Avenue on January 18. Country Club was the next stop for the phony Con Ed workers when they struck on February 3. The last target was in Baychester on the day after Superbowl Sunday on February 7. 

Police released a sketch of the description of the suspects and of items taken provided by the victims. Both suspects are described as Hispanic males 35 to 40 years of age who are about 5 foot 10 inches tall. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.