SLINGERLANDS — A Blessing Road homeowner was distracted by a fake repairman while his accomplice stole money from the house, according to a release from the Bethlehem Police Department.

The burglary took place at about 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, when a white man in his 40s — wearing a light colored T-shirt, vest, gloves and a ballcap — approached the resident and advised that they needed to “inspect some lines” in the back of the house, the release said.

“The homeowner and suspect went to the rear of the residence, while the suspect communicated with another, unknown person, over a two-way radio,” the release said. “When the resident returned to the front of the house, they determined that the second unknown suspect had entered their residence and stolen U.S. currency from inside the house.”

The suspect fled the scene north on Blessing Road toward Krumkill Road in a white four-door sedan, which was missing its front license plate.

The Bethlehem Police Department is currently working with other area police agencies, the release said, as this incident could be related to a recent crime pattern of distraction burglaries in the area.

Bethlehem Police are issuing these precautionary measures to thwart similar incidents:

— Always be skeptical of any repair or maintenance person who comes to your residence unannounced;

— Always ask for identification as soon as the person arrives;

— Take the time to confirm the person’s affiliation with the company that he or she purports to be from;

— Never leave the person alone while he or she is on your property;

— Take photographs of the person and his or her vehicle; and

— Do not leave your residence unsecured while doing yard work; always ensure you can see any open access points to your residence.

Legitimate service workers or municipal employees wear some type of uniform, drive marked vehicles and will always display identification when asked.

Anyone with information about Thursday’s robbery is asked to contact Bethlehem Police at 518-439-9973. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Capital Region Crime Stoppers at www.capitalregioncrimestoppers.com or by downloading the free P3 Tips app to any IOS or Android device.