Alerted by neighbors, police arrested the imposter and an accomplice and were seeking a third man.
The victim's injuries do not appear of threatening, police said.
The victim, whose name was not released, was going inside his house on the 5900 block of N. 13th street at about 1 p.m. when a man wearing a suit and carrying a fake identification badge approached.
Saying he was from the water department, the impostor told the victim he needed to check a water leak in the basement of the house.
Once in the basement, the thief directed the victim to turn the water main on and off several times, said Philadelphia Lt. Frank Vanore. The victim noticed the man looking around the basement, which contained a safe, and, after telling him there was no leak, started walking upstairs, toward the front door.
The suspect grabbed the man as he tried to leave the house and punched him several times in the face and head. Two other men entered the house and began carrying the safe out.
Neighbors who heard the commotion called 911 and police arrested Paul Eli, 29, of Ohio, believed to the the imposter, and Samuel John, 56, of Marcus Hook, Pa.
A third man male fled in a dark SUV.
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