Fairfield Police Seeking Suspects in Distraction Burglary

Fairfield police are seeking help from the public — they’re looking for information on suspects involved in a distraction burglary and are hoping residents will share info with neighbors on how to avoid scams like the one that occurred recently.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, a man posing as a contractor convinced an elderly Suzanne Circle couple to accompany him to the backyard under the guise of checking some of their neighbors’ trees that he said he needed to cut down, Fairfield Police stated on the department’s Facebook page.

While in the backyard, a second person entered the home and stole jewelry, police said. The only details police have about one of the suspects is that he is a Hispanic male in his early 40s, 5’8” tall, with short dark hair and a round face.

Police said the incident may be linked to fraudulent driveway pavers who approach residents offering to seal driveways at “ridiculously low prices only to gain access to the home or to intimidate homeowners to pay additional money.”

How You Can Help

“We are asking residents to share this info, especially with their elderly neighbors and to report any suspicious incidents to the Fairfield PD at (203) 254-4800,” police said.

Anonymous tips may be sent by texting "FPD,” along with tip information, to CRIMES (274637). For more info on how to submit anonymous tips, click here.

From the Archives

Distraction burglaries come in various forms other than tree work scams, like this one that occurred in Madison and this one in Woodbridge.

A 93-year-old woman was raking leaves in her yard when she was approached by a man offering to finish the yard for less than $50. He asked to enter the home to boil water and allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry, police said.

In 2012, the Department of Consumer Protection warned people about paving scams once warm weather arrives.

“Spring and summer are prime seasons for bogus door-to-door offers, so consumers need to be wary,” Commissioner William R. Rubenstein said then. “We’ve learned that traveling pavers have already started their rounds in the state, and more fly-by-night operators offering chimney repair and magazine sales can’t be far behind.

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau warned about paving scams too, especially during the summer months.

The Milford Police Department offered tips on how to avoid becoming a target of a distraction burglary:

• Keep your doors locked.

• Do not allow unsolicited visitors into your home.

• Acknowledge you are home without opening the door. Make sure they know that someone is home.

• Verify the visit to your home by calling a company directly with contact information you have obtained on your own, not what is provided by the visitor.

• Contact your police department regarding any suspicious activities.