Was the Comcast Armed Robbery in September an Insurance Hoax?

We received a question about the armed robbery that occured on Dayton Street in Danvers in Sept. 2011:

Was the Dayton Street robbery in September an insurance hoax? We heard it was all just a planned alleged robbery.

We went straight to the for an answer to this week's You Ask, Patch Answers.

First, here's a little , which took place on Sept. 9.

The incident took place on 164 Dayton Street, close to the Middleton border at approximately 11:35 a.m., when Danvers Police were dispatched to the house on a 9-1-1 call of home invasion.

According to Sergeant Bob Bettencourt, the party stated that three Hispanic males in baseball caps entered the home, claiming to be Comcast employees.

The suspects showed the victims (two adults and a child) a handgun and a black canvas bag, and said they had items in it that could be used to tie them up if they didn't cooperate.

They fled from the scene after stealing two flat screen TVs as well as other electronic equipment. No one has reported seeing them leave, but there are tire marks from the car leaving the area.

Police within the day's following the robbery.

So was it all just a giant insurance hoax?

According to the Danvers Police, no.

Sergeant Bob Bettencourt said he had not heard that rumor, but speculated residents may have thought that because the home was foreclosed on soon after the robbery.

Bettencourt said police did believe the home was specifically targeted by the robbers. He added that Detective William Carleton said there was no indication that the event was a hoax.

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