Phony Yardman Putting Homeowners On Alert

Theft Burglary UPDATE: Mobile Police say they have a suspect in custody. The man allegedly robbed at least one home and pretends he’s looking for work cutting lawns.

by Chad Petri

Published: Thu, June 11, 2009 - 4:08 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, June 11, 2009 - 7:08 pm CST

8:01 pm Update: Mobile Police say they have a suspect in custody. Captain Eddie Patrick says they started getting calls shortly after the broadcast. The man has not been charged yet.

The Bienville Woods subdivision near Forest Hill Drive is a normally quiet place.

“It's very shocking because you never hear of anything like that happening around here,” says resident Marilyn Haynie. Mobile Police say someone broke into a home in the neighborhood Tuesday, June 9th 2009. They believe the same man, when confronted by other homeowners, claimed he was looking for work cutting lawns.

“Then I kind of noticed he didn't have a lawnmower with him and that seemed kind of odd,” says a woman who asked we conceal hear identity. She says she had a run-in with the suspect when he came to her door looking for work. Mobile police say this is a common ploy by thieves looking for a mark.

“Looking back on it, when I did not catch him getting out of his car to come to my front door he was probably just checking to make sure nobody was home,” says the woman. Homeowners in this neighborhood say they generally feel safe here and the key is to know your neighbor. Some homeowners say they want other people to join the local neighborhood watch. The suspect was also spotted two miles away in a neighborhood on Yester Place. The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 30-years-old. He was last seen driving an old, black Toyota or Nissan pick-up. If you have any information you're asked to call Mobile Police at 251-208-7211.

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