Cops: Burglar posed as water department worker

A burglar posing as a water department worker stole jewelry Wednesday from the Valley Stream home of an 84-year-old woman and her 79-year-old brother, police said.

The burglar knocked on the door of the East Avenue home about 11:30 a.m., and said he needed to inspect pipes inside because of a water main break, Nassau police said in a Thursday news release.

The male victim took the burglar to the basement and was asked to bang on the pipes while his sister was directed to turn the water on and off, police said.

The suspect left the home a short time later after one of the victims heard footsteps upstairs, police said.

The residents said the burglar left in a white pickup truck with a yellow light on the roof that was driven by another man, police said.

The residents then discovered that a gold colored necklace, a gold colored men's watch, a silver ring and a gold colored crucifix were taken, police said.

Detectives asked that anyone with information call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.