How A Ruse Burglary Happened in Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — On Monday, a man claiming to be an Elmhurst city water department employee showed up at the door of a house near Hillcrest Avenue and Adams Street, according to an Elmhurst news release. The visit was about 1:30 p.m.

The man requested to come inside the resident's house and check the water in the faucets. The resident escorted the man throughout several areas of the home, but the resident eventually became suspicious and told the man to leave, the news release said.

The man was seen leaving the neighborhood in a tan Chevrolet Cavalier sedan. The resident contacted the city and determined the man was not with the city water department. The man was described as Hispanic, short in stature with a heavy-set build and wearing a basic yellow traffic safety vest. A Hispanic woman was seen in the passenger seat.

Ruse burglars often distract and engage homeowners in conversation while a second burglar enters the home and removes valuables. In this case, police said nothing appeared to have been taken.

Residents are reminded that Elmhurst employees will wear city uniforms, have identification cards and drive fully marked city vehicles, according to the news release. The city said it will call ahead to make an appointment should employees require access to residential water services inside a home.

Residents are asked to call 911 to have police respond if they are approached by a person claiming to be a city employee or utility worker and ask for access to their home.

Here are details about recent ruse burglaries in nearby suburbs:

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