Libertyville Police Warn Of Ruse Burglary

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — The Libertyville Police Department is asking residents to be wary of any potential burglars in the area following a ruse burglary that occurred in the 1300 block of Pimlico Parkway last week, authorities said. The incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 13 when a man went up to the front door of the home and told the homeowner there was a water main break in the area.

The man then said he needed to check the water in the home and asked to come inside to check the water pipes in the home, according to a news release from the Libertyville Police Department.

The resident became uncomfortable after the man began signaling to his partner and the resident asked the man to leave, according to police. While escorting the man out, the resident saw another person leaving from the building.

The resident later noticed items of value that were missing, police said.

Both men left in a grey or silver sports utility vehicle, which had been parked in the driveway and had no front license plate. The men are described as Hispanic men. One of the men was in his mid-30s and had a medium build, was 5-feet 6-inches tall and had a mustache with facial stubble. He was wearing a dirty tan hat that had "Pennzoil" on it and a tan winter jacket.

The other man was in his early 20s with a thin build, no hat, a white t-shirt and a blue jacket.

Authorities say residents should be wary of any other possible ruse burglaries. Ruse burglars are known to target seniors or people living alone and typically travel in pairs, allowing one offender to distract the homeowner while the other offender enters the home to search for jewelry, cash, and other items of value to steal.

Some common ruses include:

• Blacktop, seal coating, or driveway repairs
• Questions about homeowner’s property lines
• Telling the homeowner about a problem outside of their home
• Inquiries about the home’s water pressure or water pipes
• Offering gutter or fence repairs, tree trimming and landscaping
• Inquiries about homes for sale or rent in the neighborhood

Residents are reminded to not allow strangers to come into their home or distract them away from the door. If someone comes to your house asking for help, police say they should tell them you will call the police for them.

Also, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1. Please be ready to provide a description of the offender (height, weight, clothing, etc.), the offender’s vehicle and a license plate number.