HOBOKEN –The Hoboken Police Department warned residents to be cautious in a media release Wednesday of an individual impersonating a PSE&G worker trying to gain entry into homes.
On Thursday, April 27 at approximately 4 p.m. the PSE&G impersonator tried to gain entry into a Hoboken residence in the vicinity of Sixth and Grand streets.
The male knocked on the door and when confronted stated to the resident that he needed to go inside to check things out because they were “red flagged.” The resident grew immediately suspicious due to the fact their rent included utilities and there are no separate meters inside of the residence.
The resident shut the door, locked it, and called the police.
The PSE&G impersonator was described as a six foot tall black male whose hair was styled in dreadlocks. He was wearing a white sweater with black pants and was holding a clipboard and had a lanyard around his neck. It is believed that he was working with two other individuals who entered the building’s common area hallway holding clipboards.
A check with the utility company proved that there were no scheduled workers due at the location.
According to the release, “These types of incidents have happened in the past and appear to have resurfaced,” and “individuals impersonating utilities workers are most commonly seeking to gain entry into residences to commit thefts” but “one could not know what other harm they could cause.”
The HPD urges residents to be diligent in verifying the validity of people trying to gain entry and to always contact the police department when unsure.
