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Thieves in disguise rob houses in Bogota

By Manuel Rueda, Editorial Director

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

According to recent reports by local police, thieves disguised as public utilities employees are entering houses in northern Bogota and robbing them while they hold residents at gunpoint.

In this robbery scheme, thieves call up certain homes which they have already targeted, saying they represent a local gas company, Gas Natural, and ask when they can come over to do a routine check up of your heater and stove.

They then come over at the agreed upon time wearing uniforms identical to those used by employees of the utility company, only to enter a home, take out their guns, and hold residents at gunpoint while they take computers, money, jewels and whatever else is of value to them.

Local police report that four such robberies have occurred in the northern Bogota suburb of Villla Magdala in less than a month, with the latest case occurring at the home of a Brazilian family that lives near carrera 16 with calle 155.

On that occasion, the family’s maid opened the door to robbers disguised as Gas Natural employees, who then threatened her, tied her up along with two young men who were also in the house, and proceeded to steal computers and cash.

“The robbers are well disguised,” says Policeman Edwin Castañeda from the Toberin police station, who explains that “somehow, these robbers have even managed to get ID cards just like those issued by the utility companies.”

Local police therefore recommend that residents be cautious of people calling up to offer gas, electricity, internet, or water checkups that seem to come out of the blue.

The gas company, Gas Natural, says that if people claiming to represent the company unexpectedly show up at your house, clients can call 444-6666 to verify that persons identity and to check whether the company actually ordered one of their employees to visit a particular home.

Police officers can also check up on identities of these sudden visitors.  You can reach them at the police hot line by dialing 1-2-3.