CRANBERRY TWP — Township police are asking residents to be cautious after a resident on Peters Road Wednesday reported men posing as utility workers attempting to gain access to a home.

Sgt. Chuck Mascellino urged residents to be vigilant about anyone attempting to gain access to a home.

Typically in these cases, he said, the suspects try to lure homeowners to the back of the home while other suspects enter in the front and steal items.

“These people are coming to homes wearing things like safety vests and hard hats and trying to get people to the back of the property,” Mascellino said. “While those people are distracted, other people are entering the homes and stealing valuables.”

The sergeant cautioned residents to ask for company identification, or for residents to call the company in question to ask about the workers.

Mascellino reiterated that this has only happened once in Cranberry, but it has been happening around the region more frequently.

He added, “It’s one of those things that seems to be targeting older people.”

He also urged anyone to report suspicious activity to police.