Man pretends to be OUC employee, robs Orange County woman, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 93-year-old woman said a man pretended to be an Orlando Utilities Commission employee when he robbed her, Channel 9's Jeff Deal learned. 

The woman said he forced himself inside her home near North Hiawassee Road and Balboa Drive Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.and stole her jewelry, including three gold chains around her neck.

“I went to that door and he said, ‘I'm with OUC,’” the woman, who didn’t want to be identified, told Eyewitness News.

The man claimed a pipe had been cut down the street and that he needed to check the water in her sink.

The woman said she was suspicious from the beginning, but that she agreed to let him run water in her garage sink.

“He kept saying ‘Well, it's gotta be the kitchen sink.’ I said, ‘You're not getting in my house,’”

The woman said she locked the door behind her, but he barged into the door.

The woman is missing three gold chains, one with jewelry from her daughter with the words "long life" on it.

A spokesperson for OUC said its employees typically don’t go into someone’s home unless there is a scheduled appointment. Employees will also wear ID badges and logos on their shirts.

Crimeline is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that can lead to the man's arrest. Call 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) if you have information on the man's whereabouts.

Cox Media Group