By robin brown  The News Journal 9/23/13

New Castle County police are warning about “distraction burglaries” after three incidents in the last two weeks.

“Unfortunately, these individuals mostly prey on the elderly as they travel from state to state in groups and burglar¬ize the homes of innocent victims,” Col. Elmer Setting said.

“We urge our residents to be extremely vigilant as these predators will go door-to-door offering home improvements for low prices or use a distrac¬tion method in order to gain access to your resi¬dence,” he said. “We will continue to investigate these incidents until these suspects are apprehended and answer for their crimes.”

Residents should ask for identifica¬tion before letting anyone into their homes and call companies to confirm their identities, Cpl. John Weglarz Sr. said.said.

“As always,” he added, “residents are encouraged to report any suspicious ve¬hicles and persons to the police immedi¬ately by calling 911.”

The first incident this month was Sept. 12 in the 2600 block of Garfield Avenue in Brandywine Estates, he said.

A heavyset man in a vest and hard hat told the victim he was with the water company. As he talked to the owner, two other men burglarized the home, We¬glarz said. A family member saw the three men leave the site together, he said.

On Sept. 14, a man started talking to a homeowner in the front yard and another man burglarized the home, Weglarz said. A white Chevrolet Silverado was seen leaving the area after the crime, he said.

The latest incident was Thursday in the 1300 block of Greenhill Ave. in Holly Oak Terrace. As a woman talked to the victim, a man who was supposed to work on the chimney burglarized the home.

To give tips in the crimes, contact De¬tective D. Graham at 395-8110 or dgraham@nccde.org, visit www.nccpd.com, text (TIP411) in mes¬sages starting with NCCPD or call Dela¬ware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. 

Contact robin brown at 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. 

“We urge our residents to be extremely vigilant as these predators will go door-to-door offering home improvements for low prices or use a distraction method in order to gain access to your residence.” 

COL. ELMER SETTING, 

New Castle County police chief