Surrey RCMP are warning business owners and employees to be wary of anyone requesting access to restricted areas of their premises under the guise of being a municipal employee.
The warning comes after police received three separate reports this past Sunday of a man in the Guilford neighbourhood not only doing just that, but also rummaging through employees’ belongings in staff rooms.
He was allowed into these areas after claiming he needed to check the water pressure and search for leaks. On some occasions, police said, unsuspecting employees left the man unescorted to wander about the businesses unchecked.
It wasn’t until employees reviewed surveillance video in their workplaces that they realized that they had been duped by the man who may have identified himself as “Kevin”.
The man is described as being 5’5” tall with darker skin and no accent. He may also be associated to a blue Honda Civic, police said.
“The Surrey RCMP is hoping someone knows or recognizes this man and calls us immediately,” said Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “City of Surrey employees all carry photo identification.”
A municipal employee “does not conduct checks at private businesses and it is not their practice to show up without an appointment unannounced at a business,” Schumann added. “If you have concerns about suspicious activity, call police and take steps to verify their employment by calling the appropriate City department.”
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200, or Crime Stoppers, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Tips can also be left online at www.solvecrime.ca.
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