SPD: Home intruder claimed to be working for ADT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield police are looking into whether a man who allegedly claimed to be an inspector for ADT is responsible for a series of break-ins over the weekend .

Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that on Sunday night, officers arrested Kenneth Spence, 48, of Springfield, after he allegedly tried to break into a house on Ambrose Street.

According to Delaney, police received a call from a homeowner claiming that a man had tried to force open the home’s rear door. When the victim asked what was going on, the man said that he was from ADT and that he needed to come inside and check their security system.

The intruder had a clipboard with ADT written on it, but did not have an ID on him. The man ran out to his car after the victim announced that the police were being called.

The homeowner, who described the intruder as a 6’ tall black man with a gray jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers, had gotten the plate number of the Chevy Impala that the man was driving.

Police, who had been patrolling the neighborhood following recent break-ins, spotted a car matching that description about an hour later on Boston Road. Inside the car, Delaney says officers found an ADT clipboard and a company ID. Police brought Spence, the car’s driver, back to the victim’s house, where he was identified by the homeowner as the man who tried to break in.

Delaney says that police then contacted ADT, which confirmed that Spence had never been one of their employees.

He is charged with attempted breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony. Delaney says that they are now looking into whether Spence is responsible for other burglaries over the weekend, in the Pine Point and Liberty Heights neighborhoods.

Residents are advised that ADT does not conduct random inspections of security systems, and will only come to your house if you call them. Delaney says that if you did not request that they be there, you should not let anyone in your house who claims to be from a home security company.

If a similar incident happened at your home, you are urged to call Springfield Police Detectives at (413) 787-6355.