Elderly Resident Burglarized In Northbrook Home Invasion: Police

NORTHBROOK, IL — An elderly resident was pushed into her house as two men gained entry in a home invasion Friday in the 2500 block of Joshua Lane, Northbrook. Northbrook police said the incident — one of several they are currently investigating — occurred around 7 p.m.

The resident told police she heard someone at the front door and opened it to find two men in the entryway. The men advised the woman that they needed to check her plumbing and pushed open the door. One of the men pushed the elderly victim back into the house in order to gain entry. One of the men brought the resident downstairs to the basement, while the other man remained upstairs.

After the men left the house, the resident found that multiple rooms had been ransacked. The resident refused medical attention.

The two men are described as white, around 6-feet-1, 220 pounds, both wearing hats, black jackets, black pants, and masks. There was no vehicle description.

Police Advisory: This incident is commonly known as a "ruse" burglary, according to the Northbrook Police Department. If force is used to make entry, the incident is classified as a home invasion. Oftentimes offenders will target elderly victims and try to get them to come out of the house or go to the basement, while another offender burglarizes the residence, according to police.

Police are warning residents if someone comes to their residence unexpectedly, and they don’t know who they are, they should not open the door for them and call 9-1-1 to contact the Northbrook Police Department.