Thieves posing as water company employees hit Granite Bay

Two men posing as water company employees were able to distract a Granite Bay homeowner today long enough to steal a safe from his home.

The first suspect approached the Hillgrove Street home around 9 a.m. and knocked on the front door. When the elderly male victim answered, the suspect told him he worked for the water company and that he needed to turn on his water due to a problem in the area. The suspect, who was wearing a tool belt and an identification badge that was turned around backward, entered the home with the victim. He took the victim into the backyard and told him to hold the hose and keep the water running.

The suspect reentered the home, and then let a second suspect into the front door of the residence, according to a witness. The two suspects took a safe from the home, which contained some cash and documents. The first suspect was wearing a blue work shirt with an orange T-shirt underneath.

The suspects were both described as Hispanic, 5-feet, 8-inches to 6-feet tall, with stocky builds. They both had brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Placer County Sheriff”s Department at (530) 889-7800.

The Placer County Sheriff”s Department urges residents to call any utility company before allowing a worker inside their home, especially if they do not have an appointment.