'Deception' burglars target elderly Westbury, N.Y., victim

WESTBURY, N.Y. (WABC) -- The police are looking for a man they said is responsible for a "deception" burglary on Long Island.

On Friday afternoon around 2:30, the suspect and another man knocked on the door of an elderly homeowner on Hunters Lane in Westbury, N.Y.

According to a statement from Nassau County Police Department, the two said they were "utility workers" and that they needed to check the home's water lines due to a gas leak.

One suspect stayed with the victim who they asked to bang on the main water line while one suspect went upstairs. When the victim was asked to bang on another pipe, both subjects fled.

The two stole coins and cash from the victim.

"Looking back, I feel very foolish letting them in, but at the time I thought I was protecting my family," said the victim, who chose to remain anonymous.

The 66-year-old was home with his 95-year-old mother Friday afternoon.

"They said, 'we have to get in the house ... to see if your water is contaminated.' I let my guard down."

Police said this is the third "deception" burglary in Nassau County in less than a week.

Also on Friday, a man posed as a National Grid employee and burglarized a home on Pine Street in Herricks by telling the 78-year-old victim there was a gas explosion nearby.

The day before, an 88-year-old Syosset woman was robbed by a man who also posed as a National Grid worker.

The first suspect (sketch available) is described as a white man with light skin, between 35-40 years old, with a medium to heavy build. He is about 180 pounds and 5 feet 2 inches tall with short straight black hair. The second suspect (no sketch available) is a white or Hispanic man between 40 and 49 years old.

Anyone with information about the case should call, 1-800-244-TIPS (8477)