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Police: Fake utility worker scam reported in Cranberry Twp.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Authorities in Cranberry Township are investigating a burglary involving a man posing as a utility worker.

Cranberry Township police Sgt. Chuck Mascellino said officers were dispatched to a home on Peters Road on Wednesday afternoon for the report of suspicious activity.

Mascellino said the residents, an elderly couple, stated a man told them there was a water main break in the area and they needed to mark the couple’s property.

According to the victims, the man requested that they both accompany him to the rear of their property so he could explain what he was going to do.

Although the residents said they don’t have public water, they walked with the man to the rear of the property. After a short time, a neighbor noticed the activity and began to walk in the direction of the residents.

The man then spoke into a phone or two-way radio that he was done and quickly left the area.

The victims told police they didn’t know anything was amiss until sometime later.

The couple found several items of value on a bed, which were removed from their original storage locations. They also discovered four sets of state quarters missing.

Mascellino said it's believed that when the neighbor approached, the male talking with the couple advised whoever was inside to leave, abandoning the remaining items.

The suspect was described as a white male, mid 20s to early 30s, wearing a white hard hat, grayish blue safety vest with orange stripes and a white collared shirt.

A possible vehicle used was a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Nissan Murano, according to Mascellino.

“There have been several similar reports in the Pittsburgh area in the recent past. Cranberry Township Police are advising that any suspicious activity be reported as soon as possible. Always ask for company identification when utility workers are at a residence and call the company if you have any doubt about the workers,” Mascellino said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Cranberry Township Police Department at 724-776-5180, ext 5.