Man Cases Local Home, Pretends to be Alarm Company Employee

Milpitas Police released information Thursday about a suspicious man who recently knocked on the door of a home on Costigan Circle, identified himself as a Brinks Alarm employee, and asked questions about the home's security features.

The man was white, approximately 30 years old, 6 feet tall and approximately 160 pounds, and did not wear a uniform or carry any other type of visible identification - he simply carried a Brinks Alarm sign. When the homeowner answered the door, he asked if the home had an alarm system.

Milpitas Police believe the man was trying to gather information about the home, possibly to return later and burglarize it.

"By the individual asking the question, he was able to determine a key piece of security information and conclude how difficult it might be to burglarize the home," said Lt. Steven Petrakovitz, public informations officer for the Milpitas Police Department. "It is not uncommon for residential burglars to case potential victims' homes prior to striking."

Milpitas Police say, following the report of the suspicious person, they contacted ADT, the company that owns Brinks Alarm Systems. The company said it does not conduct door-to-door surveys, and that all its employees wear ADT uniforms with "distinct ADT logos" and carry ADT identification cards.

Residential Burglaries on the Rise

, Dennis Graham, delivered to the City Council on Oct. 4, indicated that, though overall crime is down in Milpitas this year over last, residential burglaries is the one criminal activity that has increased, of late.

According to the report, which charted crime in Milpitas from January to August of this year, there have been 16 more burglaries in the city than during the same period in 2010 - including one that occured on the street Mayor Joe Esteves lives on, which he cited as part of the reason he requested the report from the police department.

Police Caution - Protect Your Privacy

Milpitas Police caution local residents to be wary of anyone who knocks on their doors.

"All residents should be wary of door-to-door solicitors and should not provide personal or security-related information to a stranger at their door," Petrakovitz said. "Ask salespersons and peddlers for credentials, employer identification and a City of Milpitas business license."

Petrakovitz said, all solicitors operating within the city are required to obtain and possess a business license from the City of Milpitas.

"Help keep the community safe by immediately reporting any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity," he added.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation or other similar incidents is encouraged to call the at 408-586-2400.