Fake City Worker Steals Jewelry

A man who identified himself as a Bethlehem city water employee to gain entry to a woman’s home stole “a large amount of jewelry” while inside Monday afternoon, city police said.

The burglary happened at 1:39 p.m. at a home at 437 E. Laurel St. Police did not say exactly how much jewelry was stolen.

Police described the man as white, in his 30s, with a goatee. He was wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, khaki pants and boots.

Det. Lt. Mark DiLuzio told The Morning Call that the scam is a "typical diversion burglary." Anyone who wants to enter a home to perform work must show proper photo identification, DiLuzio said.

"If they're claiming there's a water leak and they need to get inside to check, you're going to see police and firefighters there also," the city's chief detective told the newspaper.

Utility workers typically wear uniforms and have identification. In Bethlehem, water meters are read from the outside of the home and workers do not require access to the inside of a home.

Anyone who has questions about whether someone has a legitimate cause to enter a home can call Bethlehem police at 610-865-7179. Anyone with information about this particular incident is asked to call Det. Robert Toronzi at 610-997-7675.