Diversion Style Burglary Pattern In Northeast Philly
by Alex lloyd Gross
A couple of males dressed in orange vests knock on your door. They may have made up work ID hanging on a chain. They tell you there is a problem with your utility and they need to check. Could you show them something inside ( or outside) your home. There could be a problem. The problem needs to be addressed by them.
What you don’t see is an accomplice nearby who enters your home and cleans out your cash or jewelry. They will communicate via a cellphone to their partner to let them know they hit your house and get ride of you. The person accompanying you leaves and it may be hours or days before you realize you got robbed.
That scenario is real life and at least four senior citizen homeowners have fallen for it recently in area of Northeast Philadelphia, police said.
On Friday, March 28, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, an 80-year-old woman living on the 11000 block of Knights Road reported that a man knocked on her door claiming to be replacing a neighbor’s fence and needing to remove trees from her yard. While he distracted her outside, a second suspect entered the home and stole approximately $25,000 in U.S. currency and $200,000 worth of jewelry from a bedroom. The suspects fled in a black Ford F-150 pickup truck with silver door trim. The first suspect, who introduced himself as “Joey,” is described as a white or Latino male, 50 to 60 years old, wearing a white medical mask and gray clothing. The second suspect is a white male around 40 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
On Tuesday, April 10, 2025, at approximately 10:53 AM, a 92-year-old man on the 7200 block of Bradford Street allowed entry to a man who claimed there was an issue with the neighborhood’s electrical system and needed to examine his circuit box. While the two were in the basement, a second suspect entered the home and stole $3,500 in cash from a bedroom drawer. A neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the suspects fleeing on foot. The first suspect is described as a white or Latino male, around 50 years old, 5’7” in height, wearing a face mask and dark clothing. The second suspect, whose race is unknown, wore a dark jacket, light pants, a baseball cap, and a face mask.
On Monday, April 14, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM, a 79-year-old man on the 3900 block of Fairdale Avenue was approached by a man who claimed to be checking on fence work planned by a neighbor. The suspect asked the victim to walk with him to the rear yard. While they were outside, an unseen accomplice entered the home and took a Citizen watch valued at $400 from the master bedroom. The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, about 50 years old, 5’8”, weighing approximately 200 pounds, wearing glasses and a dark jacket and pants.
Most recently, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Philadelphia Police responded to a report of burglary on the 1900 block of Fulmer Street. The 83 year old male victim told officers that at around 4:30 PM, a man claiming to be from the electric company knocked on his door and asked to check the home’s electrical system. The victim allowed the man inside, and they proceeded to the basement, where they remained for about 30 minutes. The suspect abruptly left, and roughly an hour later, the resident discovered that his bedroom had been ransacked. Reported stolen were approximately $5,000 in cash, 9,000 Chinese Yuan, and a small locked safe containing jewelry. The complainant noted that the suspect spoke Spanish on the phone during the visit and that the front door had not been locked during the encounter. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male of unknown age.
Police implore people to not fall for this scam. Look outside for a utility truck with markings. Check the ID card. Get away from the individual and call 911 or the utility company for verification. Some utility companies do hire subcontractors to do some work, so make sure of the company they are working for.
Do not fall for any excuses about the worker not being able to contact the company to verify. Do not open your door and make sure all doors and windows to your home are locked. If you have a home security camera then make sure it’s in good working condition and give the footage to police. Warn your neighbors about this scam