Residents Warned About Men Posing as Guards

BREA —  Brea police warned residents not to open their doors to strangers after four men posing as security guards forced their way into an apartment Wednesday night and stole a car, jewelry and cash. One of them sexually assaulted a woman.

Authorities think the men may be targeting an apartment complex in the 2500 block of Country Hills Road, where earlier in the week another resident reported a man apparently impersonating a security guard. The man left without incident after knocking on a front door.

The apartment is in a quiet neighborhood where residents said they generally consider themselves safe. The owners of the 224-unit complex do not employ security guards, police said.

Brea Police Det. Sgt. Tom Flenniken said extra caution is especially warranted if a knock comes at an odd hour, such as late at night. “It’s better to call 911 and stay on the safe side than not,” Flenniken said. “Let the police come and check it out.”