Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is urging suburban Cook County residents to take precautions to prevent themselves from becoming victims of ruse burglaries. Cook County Sheriff’s Police are investigating multiple suspected ruse burglaries in the county’s unincorporated areas.
Burglars in these cases will approach victims, who are often senior citizens, at their homes, claiming they are utility workers or landscapers or new neighbors. One offender will lead victims to a backyard or another part of the house to distract them while other offenders enter the homes and take cash and valuables.
In the most recent report to Sheriff’s Police, offenders took cash and valuables in a suspected ruse burglary that occurred at approximately 12:40 p.m. on Nov. 29 in the 1000 block of Huber Lane in unincorporated Glenview. Two men knocked on the 84-year-old victim’s door saying they were doing yard work for a neighbor, according to the investigation. The victim allowed one of the men into her home to give him a glass of water. While this occurred the second man went into the home. The victim told both men to leave and later noticed items were missing.
On Nov. 12, a man knocked on the door at approximately 3 p.m. in the 9000 block of North Greenwood in unincorporated Niles, offering the 77-year-old victim tree-trimming services. The victim went with the offender into the backyard. The offender was on the phone speaking in another language. The victim said he did want the services and the offender left. The next day the victim noticed that cash was missing from his residence.
Similar burglaries have been reported in unincorporated Palatine and unincorporated Roselle.
Do not let anyone you are not expecting into your home. Talk through the door. If the person says he or she is utility or company employee, call that agency to verify that an employee has legitimate business at your home. Do not use the phone number the person at the door gives you.
If you encounter anyone suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Sheriff Dart asks anyone with information regarding any of the burglaries to call the Sheriff’s Police Investigation Section at 708-865-4896.