The Garden City Police Department is investigating an incident which occurred on Aug. 26 at a Garden City residence. A male subject approached an elderly homeowner who was gardening on his front lawn and informed the homeowner that he was contracted by an adjoining neighbor to repair a fence and that he would have to access the homeowner's rear yard to make the repair. The homeowner noticed another male subject with this person. The initial subject then asked the homeowner if he could show him the rear yard. The homeowner then showed the subject the rear yard while the other male subject stayed in the front yard. The homeowner states that the subject in the rear yard was constantly interrupted by cell phone calls. The subject in the rear yard then maintained a brief discussion with the homeowner for several minutes before leaving. When the homeowner went back into his house, his wife informed him that while he was in the rear yard with the initial subject, the other male came into the residence and appeared to be looking around before she confronted him and started yelling. This male then left the residence. At this time, nothing appears to be missing from his residence.

The Suffolk County Police Department is investigating several strikingly similar incidents where the second subject enters the house while the initial subject takes the homeowner outside to the rear yard. In the Suffolk County incidents, it was determined that the second subject removed items from the residences, namely jewelry and cash. In the Suffolk County incidents the subjects pose as either local contractors, tree workers or water department workers. In some of the incidents, the subjects were seen using a light color or white van or minivan. In addition, the subject in the rear yard is constantly interrupted by cell phone calls. The subjects are described as white or Hispanic, 20-30 years of age and possibly wearing baseball type hats. In most incidents of this type the homeowner usually lives alone and is elderly.

Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo states, "All homeowners should be careful when confronted with this type of scenario and they should call the police as soon as it happens." In addition, Commissioner Cipullo urges anyone who has experienced a similar incident in the past to contact the Garden City Police Department.