82-Year-Old Woman Knocked To Ground, Restrained In Home Invasion

EVANSTON, IL — Detectives are investigating a report of a home invasion, burglary and unlawful restraint of an 82-year-old woman Tuesday morning by a group of men. Officers were called around 11:50 a.m. to the 100 block of Burnham Place about an incident that began as an apparent "ruse" home burglary, police said.

The resident told police answered a knock at the front door to find a heavyset, "possibly Hispanic" man with a darker complexion and about 25 years old. He claimed there was a "sewer issue" next door and asked to be allowed inside to examine and repair the resident's system, according to communications coordinator Perry Polinski.

The woman told police she explained to the man at the front door she wasn't having any problem and tried to close the door. But the man forced his way into the house, knocking her on the floor. As she returned to her feet, three more men followed the intruder into the house.

After asking the woman for money, two of the men headed upstairs and ransacked bedroom drawers, according to Polinski. The other two men stayed on the first floor with the woman.

One of the men physically restrained the woman while the second floor was being ransacked. She would report a pair of gold earrings and a bracelet had been stolen, Polinski said.

All four men were described as in their mid 20s, speaking an unknown foreign language and having darker complexions, Polinski said. They quickly exited the home and got into a white SUV described as possibly a newer model and fled west down Burnham Place.

The 82-year-old resident suffered minor injuries but refused further medical treatment, according to Polinski.

Evanston police urged residents to be aware of the dangers of such ruse-type burglars, suggesting people only speak to strangers through locked doors.

Anyone with any knowledge about the Nov. 27 incident was asked to contact police at 847-866-5070 or by texting 274637 and entering "EPDTIP" followed by the information.