The Sacramento Police Department would like to remind the community of a current burglary scheme using a utility type ruse to distract the victim.

There have been five recent burglaries related to a male Hispanic adult and a male White adult posing as utility or construction workers checking for sewage leaks. The suspects separate. One suspect distracts the victim, keeping them out of the house while the other suspect enters and burglarizes the residence, taking money, jewelry and other property. The suspects appear to be in communication with each other via cell phones. The victims in these cases have been elderly.

The burglaries have occurred in the following locations:

• 1) On Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., in the 2100 block of Fruitridge Road
• 2) On Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 5:00 p.m., in the 5500 block of Carmela Way
• 3) On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at 4:30 p.m, in the 6000 block of Westview Way
• 4) On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at 1:30 p.m, in the 3000 block of Kroy Way
• 5) On Thursday, March 17, 2011, at 5:00 p.m, in the 2000 block of Stover Way

The suspects have been described as #1 a male Hispanic adult, 30-40, 5'6"-5'8", heavy set with short black hair; #2 a male White adult, 40's, 5'8", medium build with short light brown hair. The victims have reported the following suspect vehicle descriptions: a dark green smaller sports utility vehicle, a small black sports utility vehicle similar to a Geo Tracker and a black full size pickup truck with a matching black camper shell.

The Police Department wants to remind residents to be leery of opening your door for strangers.  Always lock your windows and doors when away from your house and call the police if something seems suspicious. Please share these safety tips with friends and family members.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.  Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.