Two men pretending to be from the water department robbed a man at gunpoint on Friday morning.
Police were dispatched on a robbery call on the 2300 block of Minnie Street around 7:30 a.m.
Resident Amie Snyder said the thieves pressed doorbells until her neighbor answered.
“It freaks me out,” Snyder said.
Police said two men wearing orange vests claiming to be with the water department robbed Snyder’s upstairs neighbor at gunpoint.
“They took some of his belongings and they left in a white dodge pickup,” Capt. Tye Grant, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department, said.
As detectives are working the case, Snyder says she is now skeptical of anyone who comes to her door.
KCMO Water Services tells 41 Action News besides carrying IDs, workers' clothing and trucks are marked with the department’s logo.
“If we have to enter your house, you have an appointment with us, with water services come in, maintenance your water meter, check for low pressure, check for leaks,” Bill White, utilities superintendent with KCMO Water Services, said.
They also don’t usually show up unannounced.
“If we haven’t had an appointment set up ahead of time, I give them the option for them to take a notice,” Patrick Gruetze, a worker with KCMO Water Services, said.
Law enforcement suggests practicing some common sense.
“If somebody is coming into your house or contacting you by phone and it seems odd, then it probably is,” Grant said.
Water Services also said if you’re simply not sure, contact them before opening your front door.
------
Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
