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Hillsborough Burglar Pretends To Be Water Department Employee

HILLSBOROUGH (CBS SF) -- Hillsborough police are investigating a burglary in which a suspect allegedly pretended to be a water department employee to distract a resident.

The suspect knocked on the front door of a home around noon in the area of Sheldon Way and Fagan Drive and told the resident he was with the water department, according to Sgt. Nelson Corteway.

He told the resident he needed to check for broken pipes, and instructed the resident to go into different rooms to turn the water on and off, Corteway said.

While the resident was distracted, the suspect allegedly stole items from the house.

The suspect eventually left, telling the resident that he needed to go to Home Depot to buy some parts, Corteway said.

The suspect is described as a clean-shaven white male adult in his early 40s, around 6 feet 2 inches tall and 220 pounds. He was wearing a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and wore sneakers.

Anyone who was in the area and saw any suspicious vehicles or persons should call Hillsborough police at (650) 375-7470.

In addition, police are asking any residents in the area with surveillance video of Sheldon Way, Fagan Drive or Armsby Drive to review their footage and share it with the department, Corteway said.

All town of Hillsborough utility employees drive clearly marked vehicles and carry official identification. Residents should call police for verification before letting anyone into their home, Corteway said.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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