A western Rowan County couple told authorities they were tricked into thinking two men who came to their door Friday afternoon were with Duke Energy. The men assaulted the husband and robbed the pair at their home.
The suspect arrived at the home around 3 p.m. told husband they needed to check his power lines or the house would catch fire, a report said.
The suspect walked with the husband around the side of the house and struck him. The man, 89, fell to the ground and got up dazed, he said.
The victim’s wallet was taken and his wife, 85, told officials another suspect came into the house and took her purse and cut the phone lines.
Rowan Sheriff Kevin Auten urged residents to call law enforcement or 911 if someone represents themselves as being with a company.
He said if residents aren’t sure, they should not let the person in until they’ve called law enforcement or contacted the company with whom the person says they represent.
“Confirm who they are. You don’t have to let people in the house,” he said.
The husband went to the nearest place he could think of for help — the Cleveland Police Department. When he returned home, he noticed the tire on his vehicle had been shredded.
The couple told investigators one suspect was a heavy set white male who was wearing faded blue overalls and appeared to be 50 to 60 years old.
The second suspect was a slim white male who they said was wearing faded Bermuda shorts and a sweatshirt. The suspect appeared to be between 20 and 30 years old. The suspects were in a white vehicle with a CB radio antenna on it. One suspect had a possible speech impediment.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Travis Allen at 704-216-8715.