Darien Burglary Rate Increases Since November

DARIEN, IL — Darien has seen a "significant spike" in burglaries since last month, with 10 in November and three so far this month, Police Chief Greg Thomas told the City Council this week. Neighboring towns are being targeted as well, he said.

In November 2018, Darien police responded to four burglaries, according to the department's latest report.

"The increase is significant and troubling," Thomas said at Monday's council meeting.

Two or three of the recent break-ins were known as "ruse" burglaries, where a suspect distracts a victim while another burglarizes a home, Thomas said.

In one case last month, a man impersonating a ComEd worker told a homeowner he wanted to put up a utility pole in the backyard. While the homeowner took the man to the back, another person entered the house and removed $500 from a dresser, according to a police report.

As for vehicle burglaries, Thomas said that in 90 percent of cases, cars are unlocked. By contrast, most houses are locked when they are burglarized, he said.

Despite a high-profile Nov. 26 home invasion, crime in Darien has declined in recent years, city statistics show.

"When there is low crime, there is a more dramatic effect when a significant crime occurs like it did with the home invasion," Thomas wrote in his November monthly report. "It is nice to see Darien officers, working with the community, have had a great return for their work product — less crime."

At the council meeting, Thomas said the state takes too long to examine evidence. In one instance, the city turned in a fingerprint for analysis in July and did not get results from the state until recently.

"You need information significantly sooner than five months," he said.

At the same time, Thomas said, five months is an improvement. It used to take eight to 12 months, he said.