Police: Man Posing As City Inspector Robs Bronx Woman, Ties Her Up

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx woman was robbed in her home after she thought she was getting a visit from a city inspector.

CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported Thursday that police are looking for a man investigators say tied up and robbed Marisol Martinez, 28, inside her Morris Heights apartment.

Martinez said she's afraid to go outside, to open her door and hasn't slept since the March 7 attack.

The mother of two said the suspect showed up at her door around 2 p.m. claiming to be an inspector from the city's Plumbing Department and wanted to check her bathroom for lead.

After allowing the man into her home without checking his identification, the suspect threw Martinez onto a couch, tied up her hands and ransacked her apartment.

Martinez said he took money, her daughter's phone, and her medication.

The suspect ran from her apartment on a busy stretch of University Avenue. Neighbors said the robbery is a frightening safety reminder.

"Oh my goodness, that's terrible," Lola Morzan said. "I think in any neighborhood you shouldn't just allow anybody to walk in. If I'm alone, I wouldn't even open the door to them. I would tell them, 'Can you come back at a different time?'"

Patricia Brown said, "I would ask them for identification, which we're always supposed to do. I would find out why they are visiting my home."

Martinez said she will ask for ID and make confirmation calls before allowing any stranger into her home.

She said she's grateful she wasn't hurt and that her children were at school during the incident.