EWING, N.J. (AP) – Police in New Jersey are warning homeowners to be on guard against theft scams as the cleanup from Hurricane Irene continues.

Ewing Township police say two men who claimed to be surveying storm damage tried to burglarize a home there earlier this week.

Police say that the men told the homeowner they were working for the county and one asked the resident to come to the backyard with him. A few minutes later the
homeowner noticed the second man coming out the front door. The men then fled. It’s not known if they took anything.

A county spokeswoman said homeowners should always ask to see credentials.

Police in Rochelle Park say that two men who volunteered to carry flood-damaged furniture from a home there Thursday were seen allegedly trying to steal the homeowner’s coin collection. They were arrested.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)