Man claiming to work for 'water department' sets up robbery of Providence woman, 82

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The police are warning people to ask for identification before allowing utility workers to enter their homes.

An 82-year-old woman in Silver Lake was robbed last week after a man who claimed to be with the "water department" told her he needed to check her bathroom sink.

She let the man inside 125 Silver Lake Ave. and watched him as he ran the faucet. While she was distracted, someone else got into the house and stole cash and valuable coins, the police said.

This is the first complaint, said Capt. Michael Correia, and the police want to prevent others. "If someone comes to your door, look for an ID badge," he said. "If they don't have that, don't let them in and call the police."