ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Police are asking for help from the public as they work to track down two men who posed as utility workers in a burglary targeting an elderly woman in Manchester.
According to the Manchester Police Department, the burglary took place on Thursday, Feb 20., on the 800 block of Sugar Hill Drive in Manchester, involving an 86-year-old woman.
Police say the burglary occurred when two men dressed as utility workers allegedly told the woman there was a damaged gas line at her home and that they needed to inspect her furnace. According to police, the woman let the men inside her home and as one of the suspects led her to the basement, police say the other went upstairs and stole jewelry from her bedroom.
In connection to the case, detectives have issued a warrant for Frankie Costa, a suspect in the case from Chicago, who is wanted for first-degree burglary and stealing. Costa is currently not in custody but a judge has set a $100,000 cash-only bond, no 10%. Costa also has felony convictions out of Florida for theft and burglary for crimes that took place in 2019 and 2023.
Police say Costa wasn’t working alone in this most recent burglary. Detectives are searching for a second suspect connected to a burglary. Investigators are asking people who live in that area to check their security cameras for any suspicious activity or a gray Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that the suspects used in the case.
The elderly woman involved in the burglary was not injured but police are warning that these types of scams are on the rise. Police have released tips to prevent others from becoming victims:
- Always verify service vehicles—real utility workers drive marked trucks.
- Ask for identification—they should have official ID badges.
- Trust your gut—if something feels off, don’t open the door.
- Call for verification—if you’re unsure about a solicitor, call 911.
- Install security cameras to help deter criminals.
Police are urging everyone to stay alert and report anything suspicious. If you have any information on the burglary suspects or the utility scammers, the Manchester Police Department asks you to contact Detective Lang at (636) 227-1410 x391.