Ruse Burglars Target Elderly in Diamond Bar and Walnut

Three burglaries in Diamond Bar and Walnut within the last week appeared to target elderly residents, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

On Wednesday, deputies from the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's station responded to a call of a residential buglary in the 600 block of Junewood Place in Diamond Bar.  When deputies got to the home, they spoke to an 85-year-old male who said that three men claiming to be subcontractors for the city knocked on his front door.  All three men wore green uniform shirts with a tree logo on the front, authorities said.

While one suspect distracted the victim by walking him to the property line, the other two suspects entered the home through an unlocked door in the garage.  The homeowner's two adult sons confronted the suspect inside the residence and the two suspects fled the location by foot toward Chandelle Place, authorities said.  A white Ford Escape or similar car was involved. Nothing was stolen from the residence.

On Thursday, deputies were called to the 400 block of Vista Rambla in Walnut to take a residential burglary report.  When deputies arrived, the victim told them that on Wednesday at around 4:30 p.m., three unknown males knocked on his front door.

The men reportedly told the 70-year-old homeowner that they worked for the city of Walnut.  One of the suspects occupied the victim in the backyard by talking to him about the power lines and the upcoming construction they planned to do.  A short time after, the man saw the other two suspects leave his home and head towards a white, four-door car.  The next day, he noticed that several watches and miscellaneous pieces of jewelry were stolen.

A third incident took place Thursday in the 600 block of Looking Glass Drive in Diamond Bar.  The 73-year-old victim reported that a man knocked on her door and told her the water to her home was contaminated, authorities said. The victim allowed the man to enter her house and escorted him to the kitchen faucet.

The suspect told the homeowner to watch the tap until the water changes color.  A short time after, the victim saw the suspect leaving her home and getting into the front passenger seat of a dark blue sedan driven by a second suspect.  The victim discovered her bedroom had been ransacked and her jewelry stolen.

The three male suspects are approximately 35 to 40 years of age and still at large. The Sheriff's Department warns residents to report if they see someone strange or get contacted at the house by an unknown person that makes them feel uneasy.

Anyone with any information or questions may contact the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station at 909-595-2264.