Home Burglar Awakens Lake Bluff Resident

LAKE BLUFF, IL — Lake Bluff police are seeking information from the public after a resident awoke to find a burglar inside their home early Thursday. Police said a resident of the 800 block of Carlyle Circle called 9-1-1 at 4:49 a.m. to report the burglar. Officers responded and saw a red Mitsubishi Mirage with Wisconsin plates flee the scene at high speeds. It was last seen fleeing northbound on Green Bay Road in North Chicago.

Police said the burglar appeared to have entered the home through an open window or an unlocked rear door and took cash from the home. After the homeowner confronted the intruder, he fled out the rear door. There were no weapons displayed and no injuries reported from the incident. The suspect was described as a 5-foot 6 inches to 5-foot 9 inches, 140 lb. black man in his 20's.

Lake Bluff Police Chief David Belmonte said the department has increased overnight patrols and will continue to share information and map trends with neighboring departments. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake Bluff & Lake Forest — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

"We typically do not see people enter homes, but in this case it appears the home was selected due to the open windows and doors. We want to remind residents to keep cars and homes locked, and windows closed," Belmonte said. "With the increase in property crimes through the Chicago area, we have to remain more vigilant."

Belmonte said police are following up on investigative leads and asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Lake Bluff Police Department at 847-234-2151.