Police seek man posing as alarm company employee | Crime

The Sumter Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating a man they say has been posing as an alarm company employee.

 Police say they’re searching for 38-year-old Navin Pungoti, who’s wanted for obtaining goods by false pretense.

According to a news release, over the past several weeks Pungoti has been going door to door portraying himself as an ADT Alarm Company employee. 

Police say Pungoti’s method of operation entails presenting victims with paperwork to provide services to activate or revamp an existing ADT account and deceives them into providing money to complete the service. 

At one time, Pungoti was legitimately employed with ADT, but was terminated.

According to police, Pungoti may still be wearing an ADT uniform or identification badge. 

On May 31, 2012 Pungoti was arrested by the Sumter Police Department and charged with three counts of obtaining goods under false pretenses and was subsequently released on bond. 

Since his release, Pungoti has been identified as committing the same crime using the same M.O. at other locations in Sumter and is currently wanted by the Sumter Police Department.

Anyone with information on Pungoti’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

The Sumter Police Department also asks citizens to follow a few simple steps to help protect them from becoming a victim of a door to door scam:

• Request to see the salesperson’s peddler license or identification
• Contact the business the salesperson represents to confirm employment
• Decline service if you did not request a service call
• Do not let salesperson/serviceperson into your home until you are convinced of their legitimacy
• Notify law enforcement if you have any suspicions about the salesperson/service person