PORTLAND, Maine — Portland police are warning residents about a small group of men who are reportedly targeting and burglarizing homes in the area by pretending to deliver food.
Interim Chief Heath Gorham said Monday that officers responded to two incidents in the city during the week of March 13, one right after the other.
In those cases, a group of Hispanic men arrived at homes posing as food delivery drivers. Gorham said the men were using that opportunity to "case" the homes or get a look inside. The men would return a day or two later and burglarize the homes. In one instance, an alleged victim was home when the men returned.
Both alleged victims in these cases happened to be Asian, but Gorham said the tactics these men used match a similar pattern across the Northeast, as far away as New York. He said the department is working with task forces to share information about the crimes.
Gorham said it is unclear how many total people are part of the suspected criminal operation and did not have information about where the men are from. He did not have any additional descriptions of the suspects.
The two victims in Portland also happen to be small business owners.
Surveillance video from one home captured images of the men and a vehicle, a white BMW X6.
Police urge anyone with information related to the incidents to call them at 207-874-8575.
The investigation is ongoing. No further information has been released at this time.