Crime & Safety

Farmington Public Safety Warns About Fence Scammers

An elderly resident had cash taken from her home, after allowing a man into her backyard to measure for a neighbor's fence.

Farmington Public Safety Department sent out an alert Friday, warning residents to be on the lookout for thieves posing as fence installers. 

An elderly Farmington resident who agreed to have her backyard measured for a neighbor's fence had cash stolen from her home early Friday afternoon, according to the alert. The resident, who lives on Hayden Street, east of Farmington Road and north of Freedom Road, told police she was doing yard work when a man approached and told her he needed to take measurements of the fence in her backyard, to prepare for the installation of a fence in a neighboring yard.

According to the alert, the resident escorted the man to her backyard, where he began to take measurements and engage her in conversation. After a few minutes, the man left in a black pickup truck. 

When she returned to her front yard, the resident noticed her front door open and discovered the theft. 

According to the alert, investigators believe that the first man acted as a decoy, while a second person entered the home. 

The man who approached the resident is described as a Hispanic male, around 30 years old, medium height and medium build with facial acne. He was last seen wearing blue jeans. 

Residents are asked to be alert to this scam and inform elderly neighbors, who appear to be targeted. Anyone with information should call Det. Scott Brown at 248-474-5500, ext. 2239.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Farmington-Farmington Hills