PLEASANTON -- Pleasanton Police and the Pleasanton Fire Marshal are warning small business owners to beware of a woman claiming to be doing maintenance on fire extinguishers.
Investigators posted a warning on Facebook, saying the woman could be trying to scam people out of their money, but her scheme could be dangerous.
Server Lucy Palomo remembers a woman who came into Playa Cancun a few months back, claiming to check out their fire extinguishers.
"She had all her paperwork. She was working like she knew what she was doing," Palomo said. The woman was paid for her bogus work, and she came during a busy time, when the employees weren't closely watching what she was doing, Palomo said.
Police are warning that the woman uses inspection tags that may be stolen from her former employer in San Antonio and the extinguishers she's examining may be expired or empty.
"What if there's a fire? We can't turn anything off!" Palomo exclaimed.
The woman sets her sights on small businesses and may be making the rounds again. Palomo said they recently got a call from another restaurant, reporting seeing a woman with the same sounding story. Palomo wants to alert other businesses so they too don't fall victim.
Investigators describe the woman as Hispanic and in her thirties, who is approximately 5'3" to 5'6" and she drives a white full-size truck. If you have seen her, the Pleasanton Police and Pleasanton Fire Marshal want to hear from you. Just call (830) 569-3869.
