Burglars Steal Safe from Mayfield Heights Man

An elderly Vallevista Drive man had a safe stolen on Tuesday by burglars who claimed to be water department workers.

Detective Joe Leskovec of the said a man came to the victim's door around noon Tuesday and said he needed to check the water pressure in the home. The resident, who is in his 90s, let the man in.

The suspect was using a walkie talkie while in the home and was inside for about 15 minutes. When he left, the resident realized a safe in his basement was gone. Police said the victim told them the safe weighed a few hundred pounds.

Leskovec said a neighbor saw two men loading what she thought was a box into a beige or gray sport utility vehicle that was parked in the victim's driveway.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the police department at 440-442-2323.

Leskovec said this is the first distraction type of burglary reported in the area for the last two months. He advised that residents check that anyone claiming to be a utility worker has proper identification and to call the company or police if anything appears suspicious.