Occurred December 23rd, 2011    10:00 PM           Burglary of a Residence                      4300 Amherst                                                                           112240045

Corpus Christi Police Detectives are investigating a home invasion burglary where the suspects impersonated city utility workers to gain entry into the victim’s residence.  A 33 year-old woman told police that at approximately 10:00 PM on December 23rd, two men knocked on her front door. The woman said that the two men were wearing white hard hats, green safety vests, blue long sleeve shirts and dark pants.  One suspect wore a shirt that she believed had a City of Corpus Christi emblem stitched upon it.  When she answered the door, one of the suspects told her that they needed access to her back yard due to a water line break.  The two suspects went to the back yard for a few moments, before returning to the front door and knocking again.  When the victim’s sister answered the door the second time, one suspect forced his way into the residence while pointing a handgun at the two women.  The second man followed and began punching the victim, and both women were then forced at gunpoint into another room where the suspects demanded money.  The suspects apparently then panicked and fled the residence without stealing anything, but warned the victims not to report the incident to police.  The victim sustained minor injuries to her face.  The suspects were described as Hispanic men in their mid-thirties.

Detectives are continuing to follow leads, but need the public’s assistance to identify these two suspects.  Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (888-8477).

In order to “Keep Corpus Christi Safe”, citizens are urged to use caution when answering the door late at night and to follow these simple safety tips:

• Utilize the peep-hole and your door security chain.
• Most utility company workers wear a uniform with distinctive emblem; most vehicles will have a distinct and obvious logo. Don’t open the door to anyone who doesn’t have either.
• Demand identification from anyone appearing to be a utility worker or city employee.
• Most utility and cable services schedule appointments ahead of time.
• If no appointment has been made, ask for the company’s customer service number and call them to verify.
• Write down the vehicle’s license plate number along with a description of the individual.
• If possible, take a photo of the individual and the vehicle they are driving but remain inside the safety of your home.
• If you feel you are being targeted by one of these imposters, call 911.

For more information on personal and Senior safety or to request a Home Safety Inspection, contact CCPD Crime Prevention Advisor Brenda Moreno at 361-886-2568