PHOENIX — Phoenix Police arrested two individuals impersonating City of Phoenix Water Department employees after the suspects entered a person’s home and attempted to rob them.
Police say on January 24, Bisono Ely, 28, approached a home near 38th Street and Camelback Road dressed in a “construction style safety vest” and told the 76-year-old and 82-year-old victims he was an employee of the water department and needed to check the water in their house.
The elderly victims allowed Ely into their home, and watched as he pretended to check their kitchen faucet.
According to police, Ely had a child with him, and one of the victims noticed the child walking around their home picking up jewelry and other valuables.
Moments later, 25-year-old Savanna Wesley entered the home with another young child.
The homeowners felt uncomfortable and asked Ely and Wesley to leave. One of the victims was able to take a photo of the suspects before they left, assisting police in their subsequent arrest of Ely and Wesley on January 25.
Ely and Wesley were booked into jail on multiple counts of Criminal Impersonation to Gain Access; Burglary; False Information to Law Enforcement; and Child Abuse, according to police.
The Phoenix Water Department issued the following statement in response to the attempted burglary:
“The Phoenix Water Department reminds all community members that City of Phoenix Water Department employees will not ask to enter your residence unless prior communication has been established. All Phoenix Water Department employees will be in uniform displaying the City of Phoenix bird on the patches, as well as an identification badge with the employee’s picture. If there are any concerns regarding City of Phoenix Water Department operations, community members may call the City of Phoenix Water Department at 602-262-6251.”
