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Burglars Posing As Utility Workers In San Marino

SAN MARINO (CBSLA.com) — Police say burglars posing as utility workers are targeting an affluent Los Angeles County community.

A San Marino resident said a man came to her door claiming he was a Southern California Edison worker and that he needed to inspect the power lines in her backyard.

The women didn't know there was a second man waiting outside.

Police said while the resident was distracted in her backyard the other man was inside her home, ransacking her safe and valuables.

The victim's neighbor, Lorraine, said SoCal Edison workers make frequent visits because of the many power lines in the neighborhood.

"I feel very unsafe to hear this because it's very seldom things happen like that," said Lorraine, who did not want to give her last name.

Authorities said the same suspects tried to rob another house on the same street. Their plot was foiled when the homeowner refused to follow the fake Edison employee into her backyard.

San Marino police have not released more information.

"We rarely have any problems in this neighborhood. We just don't have problems in this neighborhood," said Gale, who's lived in the community for 40 years.

SoCal Edison officials told CBS2/KCAL9 that field workers never show up unannounced. The company usually calls the resident or posts a written notice before making a service visit.

Also, utility workers are required to carry and show identification.

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