A man who knocks on doors and introduces himself as "your neighbor Bruce" is scamming D.C. residents out of money, they say.
Several people who live near the Washington Navy Yard say a well-dressed man who says his name is Bruce has recently knocked on their doors and given an elaborate story about why he needs to use their phones and get Metro fare.
“It’s sad that somebody would take advantage of good-hearted people,” a neighbor said about the man caught on one resident's surveillance camera.
The man has told multiple residents he went outside to empty his cat’s litter box when his door blew closed, locking him out of his house with his keys, wallet, and phone left inside. He says he has a spare set of keys in his car, which he says he left in Springfield, Virginia. He then asks if he can use a phone to call neighbors to get an extra copy of his house key, and if he can borrow money to take the Metro and then a taxi to get his car.
Navy Yard residents said the man approached them dressed in a suit and tie, which they said led them to believe his story was credible.
“You’re trusting someone, thinking that they’re telling you the truth and they’re not,” another resident said.
Although police have called the man's actions a scam, he has not been charged with a crime. Panhandling is not against the law, and people technically handed over their money to him voluntarily.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
News4 has learned the man fits the description of someone running a similar scam in the Dupont Circle area, who went by the name Gene. A similar situation is also occurring in the Logan Circle area.
“If I see him anywhere, I’ll call the police,” a resident said.
Police ask that if you are approached by a man with a similar story, you call 911 immediately and provide details on the encounter and a description of the individual. They also ask that you try to take a photo of the person. Police strongly caution against allowing strangers into your home.
