Courtesy Photo­Image

Police want to talk to a strange man who wanted to get inside a North Platte home Monday, acting like a property assessor or a realtor.

You've got a facebook Request! CLICK HERE!

There have been a rash of reports of the man – or men – asking homeowners questions about their houses in the city and the county.

North Platte police took a one report Monday and another Tuesday.

This report is part of a continuing series about scams in and around west-central Nebraska. If you know of one, contact authorites and email us at george@northplattebulletin.

Around 2:20 p.m. Monday, a heavy-set man driving a white sedan pulled up to a North Platte house in the 1300 block of West Third, the homeowner told police.

The man asked for the number of rooms in the house and if he could “come in,” Police Information Officer Rodney Brown said. The homeowner said no. The strange man took a picture of the home from the street before he left.

That report followed similar reports in rural areas.

Lincoln County Commissioner Willis Roethemeyer said Monday that the same thing happened to an elderly woman south of Brady.

And, another call came in on Tuesday morning from the 700 block of West B.

A witness there told police that the man was about 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighed about 250 pounds. He was wearing a black toupee, tan pants and white shirt with stripes.

The man said he was a realtor and asked questions about the square footage of the home, the number of rooms and occupants.

Again, he asked to come inside.

Residents are advised to not let anyone they don’t know enter their homes. Realtors and property assessors will always properly identify themselves, and will often call to make an appointment. Lincoln County Assessor Julie Stenger said property assessors carry specific identification and their cars are marked.

More than one suspicious car has been reported. Police think more than one person might be involved.

Brown said the suspect or suspects have reportedly been driving a “black SUV with no front license plate,” a blue or dark colored car, a “white sedan” and a “white, older, rusted Oldsmobile.”

In all but one case, the suspects were not wearing glasses.

Brown said if you are contacted, call the police, so the suspects can be identified and police can learn more about their intentions.