PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — It's hard work that police say is getting more dangerous - and not because of the job they're working.
"We've had individuals come in and rob them at gunpoint of their money and their belongings," said Captain Saul Serpas with the Prince George's County Police Department.
Serpas says thieves are targeting construction workers in Prince George's County. Specifically, he says investigators are seeing an alarming trend of Latino construction workers being robbed of their tools and cash.
"We believe there's more victims out there of these crimes because they're not being reported. And the reason why they're not being reported is because of their immigration status," said Serpas.
Police say the thieves believe their victims won't come forward for fear of being deported.
"We don't care about what the individual's status. It does not matter. The Prince George's County Police Department does not look into immigration status," said Capt. Serpas.
"We want them to come forward. We want to help them out in any way, shape or form we can."
Police say thieves aren't just targeting workers on the job, but online, too - taking advantage of some of the same fears.
"They're hardworking people. They work sometimes two and three jobs. They're trying to save money on tools because they're supporting a family," said Brian Fischer with Prince George's County Police.
Police say workers looking for good deals on tools on sites like Facebook Marketplace are finding scammers ready to rob them when they meet in person to complete a bogus sale.
"If you feel you found that great buy on a tool, buy it at a police station, meet the person at a police station and if they say 'no,' then, you know, it wasn't going to turn out well for you," said Fischer.
Police are also encouraging workers to open bank accounts and carry less cash, and to walk to and from job sites in groups.
"They're robbing them of their livelihood...their tools to continue working," said Capt. Serpas.