Thieves, posing as water meter readers have returned to the Brentwood area, Brentwood police chief Steve Disbennett said.

He said all homeowners who have signed up for Brentwood's Code Red Alert program will be sent the following message:

The “gypsies or thieves posing as water meter readers” have returned.

The Brentwood Police Department, in cooperation with several other area departments, has information that suggests that thieves may be targeting this area. The subjects have been seen in neighboring municipalities going door to door posing as water company representatives.

They tell the resident that they must turn the water off for a short time. While the imposters are inside, they steal valuables when the residents aren’t watching. The subjects have been described as 45-50 year old Bosnian or Hispanic males with light mustaches speaking with a, “Russian” accent. One subject was seen wearing an orange safety vest and hard hat. One male was thin-built and the other was described as, “pudgy.”

They were seen driving a black vehicle. Please report any contact with these subjects immediately to the Brentwood P.D. at 314-644-7100.

According to a Missouri American Water Company spokesperson, any legitimate meter reader should have a photo identification badge. He said some have uniforms and some don't.

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