After Recent Armed Home Invasion, Police Now Urge Residents to Check Credentials

home invasion where two men posed as utility workers tied up a pair of Holiday City Silverton residents and robbed their home remains under investigation, said police.

Two men posed as utility workers brandished a gun at two Holiday City at Silverton residents, then tied them up and robbed their home with a five year-old inside the house, police said.

Chief Michael Mastronardy said detectives are conducting interviews and the investigation remains open.

“We believe the victims were targeted,” he said in an interview this week. “We don’t believe victims were picked randomly.”

Police believe two white males, dressed as utility workers in construction hats, approached the male occupant while he was outside in the backyard.

“The men had clip boards and resembled utility workers.  The men then produced a handgun and demanded to be brought into the residence,” Mastronardy said.

With the report that men posing as utility workers were involved in the crime, both and the released a statement reminding residents to check for credentials of those claiming to be a utility worker.

“Customers should not hesitate to contact United Water if they have even the slightest doubt regarding the identity of the person at the door. This is especially important if they have not called for a service visit,” Rick Pfleiderer, director of operations for United Water Toms River.

Pflederer said the following identifying elements would denote an United Water employee:

• United Water employees wear uniforms and I.D. badges with the company name and logo.
• The badge also shows the employee’s color photograph, name, job title and date the badge was issued.
• Customers can also look for a white United Water vehicle — it features the bright green, orange and blue logo of United Water.

“False I.D.s and scams continue to trouble unsuspecting citizens who are unknowingly being persuaded into letting pretenders into their homes or onto their property,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford, in a prepared statement. “We also have the largest senior population in the state, and it is especially critical to continue to raise awareness among this group.”

What should you do if you have doubts?

Pfleiderer and Ford suggest:

• Have the person wait outside of the home.
• You can call United Water at 877-565-1456 to verify that the company has sent someone to their home.
• You can also contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 or their local police department. Toms River Police headquarters is 732-349-0150.