Posted: 4/24/2009 5:30:45 AM EDT
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_114013714.html North Andover woman says fake cop, two others invaded her home By Mark E. Vogler [email protected] NORTH ANDOVER — A Turnpike Street woman last night said three men - one posing as a police officer - burst into her home, bound her in duct tape and ransacked the place. It comes more than three weeks after the same woman said she surprised and scared away a burglar who had broken into her basement. The woman said a man came to her front door about 6 last night and had what appeared to be a holster, a badge on his belt, a portable radio and a folder," Detective Lt. Paul Gallagher said. "He identified himself as a North Andover police officer and said that he was conducting a follow-up investigation of the (March 31) break-in," Gallagher said the woman told them. But when she opened the door, the man and two masked men who were hiding on both sides of the door burst into the house, tied her up with duct tape and ransacked her house, according to Gallagher. "She was manhandled, but not physically hurt," Gallagher said, noting that the woman declined to be taken to the hospital by North Andover firefighters. The woman said she freed herself after the intruders left and called emergency 911. Police broadcast a BOLO (be on the lookout) bulletin to area police departments about a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Dodge Durango, Gallagher said. "We've had fake police officers in the past, but nothing like this," Gallagher said. "The victim put her guard down, believing it was a police officer. You trust your local police department. She was very upset." he said. From the descriptions she gave of the fake detective, police compiled a composite sketch of the suspect. Police would not say what was taken from the home. On March 31, at about the same time, the woman reported coming face-to-face with an intruder who had forced open the basement sliding glass door. Police are still looking for the suspect in connection with that crime and don't know whether it was connected to last night's incident. |