Napping Homeowner Catches Water Worker Breaking In

A water company employee has been accused of breaking into a home in broad daylight while on the job in Scranton, PA, last week.

“The employee, 51-year-old Leonard Kalinoski, was taken into custody at Matthew Harding’s Wintermantle Avenue home around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint filed by Patrolman Robert Olecki. The case remains under investigation,” The Scranton Times-Tribune reported.

The case is a strange twist during a year when water utilities have worked hard to warn customers about safety threats from robbers who pose as utility workers.

“You often hear warnings about burglars posing as utility workers to get into a home, but [last week] in Scranton, a legitimate water company worker was arrested for burglary,” WNEP reported.

“Neighbors on Wintermantle Avenue say they saw a Pennsylvania American Water van pull up early Wednesday afternoon and didn't think anything of it. They figured their neighbor was having his water fixed,” the report continued.

But the unexpected happened. The worker entered through the back door of the house, which he unlatched with a credit card, according to a neighbor. Harding, the homeowner, was napping on the couch. Harding described what happened when he woke up.

"I looked over and there's a guy there. I jumped, startled, said, 'What are you doing?!'” Harding said, per WNEP. "(I) said, 'What are you doing in my house?' He said he's from the water company, and I said, 'Yeah, you're from the water company.' So I get a hold of him and call 911.”

"The fact that I was asleep on my couch has me so uneasy. It's such an unsettling feeling. This is a quiet neighborhood. There's never any type of crime or anything," Harding said.

Scranton police said the man will be charged with burglary. Pennsylvania American Water said in a statement, per WNEP: "We have been advised of the incident in Scranton involving one of our employees. We are investigating the situation and will fully cooperate with the Scranton Police. At this time, we will withhold further comment until the investigations are completed."

Utilities have worked to protect customers from burglars who pose as water employees. American Water utilities have active programs in place to educate customers about that scam. Pennsylvania American Water executed a "don't open the door unless you're sure" campaign.

"Be vigilant, and don’t get fooled by utility imposters!" the campaign says. "It is extremely rare for water company personnel to show up at a customer’s home without an appointment. However, if a utility worker comes to your door and you are not expecting them, DO NOT let them inside without proper identification."

Harding noted the twist in what happened to him.

"You're always being told beware of impostors from utility companies and here it is, it's the real water company breaking into my house," he said, per WNEP.

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