Orange police have arrested an East Orange man who was entering residences with a bogus Public Service Electric & Gas Co. identification card and trying to swindle residents, police said.

Larry Williams of South Harrison Street was arrested at Reynolds Terrace and South Center Street about 4 p.m. Friday after a woman whom he had approached thought he looked "suspicious" and alerted police, Orange Police Director Charles Cobbertt said.

The bogus identification card was found in possession. He was charged with possession of cocaine, and other charges are pending, the director said.

Armed with the false card and a pipe wrench, Williams would "knock on doors and tell people they were late in making payments and that he was there to cut off their gas." Cobbertt said.

He would tell the customers to pay him cash and he would not cut off the gas.

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“Reach Back with One Hand and Pull Someone Else Up With You.”

– Charles C. Cobbertt

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