Man Impersonates Utility Worker to Scam Residents

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma - Oklahoma City Police continued their search Wednesday for a man they say is impersonating a utility worker to scam residents.

Claiming to be with the power company, the man walked to the door of a home in Southwest Oklahoma City where he convinced a 91-year-old widow to let him inside.

Police said the man used fear by convincing the woman if he couldn't check her breaker box, her house would burn down.

"Right then, I knew something was wrong and I turned around and he was gone," the unidentified woman said.

The man stole the woman's purse while she wasn't looking. He came back to the neighborhood a second time, claiming to be from the gas company.

"Just minutes later, a resident about two blocks away had a similar complaint," said Master Sgt. Gary Knight. "In this instance, she did not let the man in the house."

Armed with stolen credit cards from his first victim, the man quickly rang up almost $700 in purchases.

When he arrived at a store in Northwest Oklahoma City, an employee became suspicious. The man fled, but not before the cameras caught images of him.

Police said the imposter was wearing an orange vest when he approached his victims and they caution people not to be deceived.

"If someone knocks on your door, claiming to be from the utility company, ask for identification," Knight said. "You can call the utility company to verify who this person is, or you can call 911 and let police check it out if you feel there's something suspicious."

Besides taking $200 from the woman's purse, he also got away with a priceless photo of her grandson, who passed away just a few years ago.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 235-7300.