Investigators say the suspect has victimized at least four older adults over the past three weeks using the ruse of working for the city's water department before entering homes and carrying out thefts. The most recent incident occurred on Monday.
Surveillance images show the suspect wearing what appears to be a makeshift utility worker's uniform. Police said the man has burglarized several homes across the city, making off with tens of thousands of dollars.
A 76-year-old man identified as Rudy, who asked not to be fully named, said the suspect came to his home on North Fourth Street in Feltonville late last month. Rudy allowed the man inside but quickly became suspicious.
"I said, 'No, I didn't like this. Let me go upstairs.' But by that time, he was already gone. He was already gone," Rudy said.
Rudy said it appears the suspect left his home without taking anything.
Police said other victims were not as fortunate.
On May 16, the suspect allegedly accessed a safe inside a woman's home in West Oak Lane and took more than $15,000 in cash.
On May 20, investigators said the suspect stole $37,000 from a home in Hunting Park.
In the most recent case this past Monday, police said he took $39,000 in cash and jewelry from a residence in Northeast Philadelphia.
In each case, the victims were senior citizens.
Investigators said they are pursuing leads, including an image of a vehicle believed to be connected to the suspect. The vehicle is described as a white Subaru Ascent with paper tags.
Rudy said the experience has shaken his sense of trust.
"It makes me a little bit scared, scared about people because I'm very friendly," he said. "But with this here event, I don't think I'm going to be that friendly anymore."
Officials with the water department urged residents to take precautions, including asking anyone claiming to be a utility worker to show official company identification.
If there are concerns about a person's legitimacy, authorities advise calling 911 to verify their identity.