by Timothy Rutt
We've gotten several reports about this guy Tuesday, and they all go something like this (thanks to reader Steve):
This afternoon a 35-40 year old white male, curly black hair, medium height and build, knocked at our door .... Wore an orange vest.
When my wife looked out the window he said "Edison, here to look at your power line." Asked if we had a dog.
My wife asked for ID and he said he didn't have it, it was his first day on the job, but that we should look at his truck. My wife declined. He took off.
We called the Sheriff's Dept., and they are checking for similar incidents. Also called Edison, who confirmed that ALL employees have photo ID on them at ALL TIMES.
Here's another one:
About 20 minutes ago a man knocked on my door. He was wearing an orange vest.
I talked to him thru the window and he said he was with Southern Edison. So I opened the door.
He then asked if I had a dog in the yard. I said no.
He said he needed to check my high powered lines. I asked for ID. He said it was in his truck.
I asked him to get it. Then he said i have a very official truck do you want to see it?
I said no I want to see your ID.
He said: "Oh actually I don't have it. It's my first day.
So I told him to get off my property. He stormed off saying that he would check the lines on my neighbors property.
The Altadena sheriff station number is 798-1131.
UPDATE 1 PM: Sheriff crime analyst Virginia Cordova has sent out an email with further information. Among the most telling: SCE workers don't wear orange vests, and are required to wear photo identification.
Two men have been identified as part of this operation, per one resident's description:
Suspect #1: male, Caucasian, early to mid-20's, black curly hair, average height, thin build.
Suspect #2: male, Hispanic, mid-30's to early 30's, slightly heavyset, beard and mustache.
Both suspects were seen in a small white pickup truck with some unidentifiable logo. Subjects were seen in the area of New York Drive and Maiden Lane and several other areas around 12 PM into the early afternoon.