Rathdrum police warn about scam
RATHDRUM - A man claiming to be an employee of a security firm recently entered a Rathdrum senior's home and allegedly stole prescription medications.
The suspect, described as 5-foot-9 with a medium build and strawberry blond hair, told the alleged victim that he's an employee of the Monotronics Alarm Company. The elderly woman is a customer of the company's and has a sign on her front yard identifying the home as being protected by the firm.
The suspect entered the home in the Golden Spike Estates retirement community last Wednesday at 3 p.m., according to a Rathdrum Police press release issued on Tuesday.
"The suspect told the female he was in the area checking the systems," Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said. "He entered her home, pressed some buttons on her (security) keypad and proceeded to check the sensors in each of the rooms."
The woman reported the male entered her closet and bathroom, which she thought was odd.
"After the male left, the female noticed that her prescription medication was missing and some items in a drawer had been rummaged through," said Fuhr, adding the woman reported the alleged incident on Thursday.
The victim contacted Monotronics, which advised her that no one from the company was in the area checking systems. The firm also advised her that they contract with a Spokane company to do alarm installations.
The suspect was not wearing a uniform nor did he have any identification that was visible, according to police. No further suspect information was listed in the police report and a vehicle description was not obtained by the woman.
Anyone with information or who may have experienced a similar alleged incident is asked to call Rathdrum Police at 687-0711.
"There's several residents in this community with a Monotronics sign and maybe the suspect went to their house as well, but they didn't let him in," said Fuhr, adding that other potential victims may have more information.
Fuhr said all employees of security firms, TV providers and similar companies should have identification on them and/or a uniform. Most also drive company vehicles.