Fake Inspector Asks Brooklyn Victims For Cash Payments
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
Police were searching Friday night for a man who has been preyed on Brooklyn homeowners by posing as a Department of Environmental Protection inspector.
Authorities released Friday a sketch, shown above, of the suspect.
Police said he was struck six times over the past month-and-a-half, threatening to shut off the water to the homes if the owners don't pay up.
Many of his targets have reportedly been elderly women.
He's described as a dark-skinned man in his 40s or 50s, between 5-feet-6-inches and 6-feet tall.
He was seen wearing a black baseball cap, a button-down shirt with a tie, and carrying a black messenger's bag.
The Department of Environmental Protection said homeowners who are approached by someone claiming to be an inspector can ask for an agency phone number to confirm that there is a visit scheduled.
DEP officials said employees who are authorized to enter homes must carry photo I.D. cards and badges, always wear uniforms and never ask for cash payments.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or send a text to "Crimes" and then enter TIP577.