Petaluma police warn of burglaries by group posing as utility workers

PETALUMA -- Police are warning that a group posing as utility workers may attempt a residential burglary in Petaluma this weekend.

The Petaluma Police Department apparently received a tip that several subjects dressed in utility worker outfits may try to burglarize a home by distracting its residents.

The subjects' approach involves engaging homeowners in conversations at the door while other members of the group sneak through the home's rear entrance and steal items, police said.

The tip police received indicated that elderly homeowners in the southeast portion of Petaluma could be the subjects' potential targets.

Police said the subjects are possibly associated with a white van and may have rented a sedan as a secondary vehicle.

Though police said the validity of the tip is uncertain, police are asking residents to be on the lookout for vehicles matching that description or utility workers of questionable legitimacy.

Anyone with information concerning the tip is asked to contact Petaluma police officers at (707) 778-4372.