Ruse Burglary In Elmhurst Neighborhood: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A safe and jewelry were missing from an Elmhurst house last week after men claiming to be utility employees showed up, police said.

The incident was about 3 p.m. Thursday in the 600 block of North Oaklawn Avenue, police said.

According to a police report, a resident said two men purporting to be with ComEd approached him. They said they wanted to speak with him about trimming his trees near the power lines.

Upon their sudden departure, the resident discovered the theft, police said. An investigation is pending.

Both men were described as white, about 50 years old, 6 feet tall, and wearing light-colored shirts and tan pants.

Ruse burglars often distract and engage homeowners in conversation while someone else enters the home and removes valuables.

ComEd says all of its field employees wear uniforms, including safety vests, with ComEd logos; visibly display company ID badges; and drive white cars or trucks with the ComEd logo.

If you are unsure whether a visitor is a ComEd employee, call 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON-1) before engaging with the person.