New York State Police are warning residents to be wary of people who say they are from a utility company.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
loading...

Authorities say matching clothing and walkie-talkies don’t make a legitimate utility company employee.

An elderly Franklin couple was distracted by men posing as utility workers while another person went into their home and took cash, jewelry and coins.  Troopers say the two men who approached the couple Wednesday, November 7 in front of a home had walkie-talkies and had on sweat shirts and baseball hats.

One man was described as Hispanic, clean shaven, about 50 years old, short: standing about 5’, 3” tall and weighing 175 pounds.  The second man was about the same height, a little older with facial hair, blue eyes and a lazy eye condition were the eyes don’t track together.

The men were in a white Honda or Hyundai Sport Utility Vehicle with out-of-state license plates.

State Police say most utility companies do not send people to your home unannounced.  Have anyone claiming to be a utility worker present identification and the name of a supervisor.  If you have any doubt, call authorities and contact the utility company.

Anyone with information about the men involved in the incident in the Town of Franklin can contact State Police in Oneonta at (607) 432-3211 or in Sidney at (607) 561-7400.

More From 99.1 The Whale