(04/25/08) EDISON ? Police in Edison say crooks posing as water company employees are targeting elderly residents in a robbery scam.

On Wednesday, a man posing as a water company worker told a Midwood Avenue resident that he needed to check pipes in the home. Police say as the phony water worker distracted the resident, someone else entered the house and swiped $10,000 worth of jewelry.

In another incident that took place April 1, $9,000 worth of jewelry was taken from another residence.

Police are urging residents in Middlesex County to keep their eyes and ears open. In Wednesday?s incident, police say the fake water employee wore an ?American Water Company? T-shirt. That company is not the water provider for that area. Police say residents should know who their water provider is so they can spot imposters.

In addition, residents are urged to check photo IDs of anyone claiming to be a utility worker. The utility or company who employs the worker should also be called to verify the visit.