Possible Diversion Burglary Reported In Glen Rock

GLEN ROCK, NJ —A resident reported a possible diversion burglary that occurred Thursday afternoon, police reported.

A woman on the 100 block of Rodney Street reported that a man claiming to a utility worker went to her house and said he needed to check her water pressure, Chief Dean Ackermann said.

The woman let the man inside, but she became suspicious when he offered her a $50 cash rebate. He asked if the woman had two $50 bills in order to break a $100 bill, Ackermann said. The man was also speaking with someone on his cellphone while inside.

The woman stared calling a neighbor and the man quickly left the house and drove away in what police said might have been a dark-colored GM pickup, Ackermann said.

A diversion burglary is when one or more people pretend to be public utility worker or officials who say they need to enter someone's home and help them. One will keep the person distracted in one part of a home while someone else enters the home and looks for items to steal, often money and valuables.

"If you have any reason to believe that someone attempting to enter your home may not be a legitimate utility worker, do not let them in your home and call the police," Ackermann said. "Officers can easily identify legitimate utility workers."

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