Ruse Burglaries Still a Threat

November 29, 2011 - Ruse Burglaries are still on the rise.  Back in June, we warned you of the increase of this crime.  We wanted to provide you with an update and make sure you were still being vigilant.

In this type of crime, the offender may pose as a public utility employee, a roofer, or other service provider and claim they need access to the victim's residence or back yard to inspect their water, gas or cable components, recent work done, etc.  The offender will then direct the victim to an area of the residence away from where valuables may be stored, or to come outside of their residence to look at something in their yard while their home is entered by others and burglarized.  This allows his or her accomplice(s) to enter these areas undetected and gather as many items as possible.  Bedrooms are the usual target area.

These incidents have been reported in Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich , Grayslake, Mundelein, Lincolnshire and more.  Since June, we have seen at least 7 more reported burglaries in the area.  Some of the ruses include:

·     Telling the victim they were from the Village and were there to do work on the stoop.

·     Saying they were there to fix a fence or build a fence on a neighboring property.

·     Telling the victim there was damage to their roof (in the back of the residence, of course).

·     Telling the victim they were Edison employees and there was an emergency.

·     Advising the victim they needed to check the water pressure (possibly working on the neighbor’s pipes).

·     Saying they need the victim to check some landscaping or a squirrel’s nest that’s damaging the roof, or some other work in the back yard area (or the neighbor’s).

In most of the cases, the suspects are described as male Hispanic(s).  The most common description is of a Hispanic man about 6 feet tall with a heavy build and ruddy face in his 40’s.  But another case involved a female suspect driving the vehicle (and nationality is not always easy to determine).  Most of the suspects have communicated via cell phones or walkie-talkies and many times they spoke in Spanish.  In all cases, jewelry and money (and in one case, furs) were targeted.  These items are valuable, but are not easy to trace, like electronics that have serial numbers.  (Keep these items in a safe or a location besides the bedroom or den.) 

Please, do not allow strangers to come into your home or to distract you away from your unlocked front door.  Call the police immediately and try to provide a description of the suspect(s) and a vehicle.  But most importantly, remain safe!