Police Chief Addresses Recent Residential Burglaries In Northbrook

NORTHBROOK, IL — As the number of residential burglaries in Northbrook have nearly tripled in 2022 compared to 2021, Police Chief Christopher Kennedy addressed the Northbrook Village Board Tuesday night during a special meeting.

Citing a statistical study of incidents in Northbrook dating back to 2007, Kennedy displayed a breakdown of annual residential burglaries in the village and referred specifically to the number that occurred between the months of July and November.

According to the breakdown, the three residential burglaries in July were the same as 2021, both down from a high of 10 in 2020. In August, two residential burglaries in 2022 were identical to the number in 2020. Three residential burglaries in September was the most since 2019. Eight burglaries in October were the most since 2008, while the five in November were the most since 2018.

Through the end of November, Northbrook has had 33 residential burglaries in 2022 compared to 13 last year. Kennedy said this year's total is on pace with most years.

"As you can see, Northbrook follows a traditional trend. Somewhere between 30 and 40 (per year) is normal. You have high years and low years," Kennedy said. "Obviously, when everyone was home in 2021 due to COVID-19, there was a significant drop."

Kennedy referred to a specific burglary that occurred on Nov. 14 in Northbrook, saying it was consistent with others in the Chicagoland area. Police at the time said no force was used in the isolated incident, which occurred at 6:15 p.m., in the 0-100 block of Bridlewood Road. A resident called 911 to report three males dressed in black clothing at their home.

"Eastern European ruse burglars, we see them targeting our elderly, often they'll be disguised as gas men or public works," Kennedy said in reference to one of the three most common techniques currently being used by burglars. "They'll try and distract someone outside the home to do some kind of work, while others will move into a back area and see what they can take quickly while that person is distracted."

Kennedy described a second technique or burglar as being more "traditional, sort of opportunist." He said that this type of burglar will suffer from some kind of narcotics addiction and will be looking for money specifically.

Police said in incidents like the one on Nov. 14, the burglars are typically involved in a professionally organized criminal group, The group often targets bigger homes located adjacent to wooded areas. The most common thing being stolen is jewelry and cash, often in larger quantities. Other specific patterns being used include:

• a preference to darkness (between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.)
• rear-forced entry (door/window)
• travel between states, may return to same area
• similar crime pattern in multiple neighboring towns

"Burglars [in this grouping] in general do not want to engage with someone, nor did they do that on that evening. There was no implied threat or use of force against that person. He was in a distant part of the home," Kennedy said.

He said Northbrook detectives have discovered while investigating the incidents that it goes all the way down to Florida. Kennedy also referred to similar incidents occurring nearby in other affluent areas like Northfield, Lake Forest, Bannockburn, Park Ridge, Lincolnwood and Des Plaines.

Kennedy added that following interviews with suspects currently in custody in Tennessee, charges may be forthcoming for incidents in Northbrook. He described the criminals as an "active crew" based in South America.

Following the Nov. 14 incident, at approximately 7:30 p.m. a text message alert was sent to residents in affected locations indicating there was no immediate threat to the public, according to police. A community-wide alert was not sent, as the Northbrook Police Department determined this to be an isolated incident.

Police said at approximately 9:40 p.m, an all-clear text message was sent to residents in the affected locations noting the situation was resolved, which indicated that law enforcement resources were no longer focused in the area. Text alerts went to those registered in the Village’s emergency notification system and within the geographical boundaries identified during Monday’s incident response.

After reviewing the communications from Nov. 14, residents within the boundaries that received emergency text messages from the Village in response to the residential burglary were invited to attend an informal meeting led by Kennedy to discuss public safety in the community. Two identical meetings were held on Nov 17 and Nov. 18. In total, nearly 100 residents attended the meetings.

As a reminder, the Northbrook Police Department is asking residents to report any and all suspicious behavior: "See Something, Say Something." Police said suspicious behavior is sometimes difficult to define, but includes something that is out of place and seems not quite right. Police are reminding residents to utilize their home alarm systems and make sure all their windows and doors are locked, even if only gone for a short period of time.

If residents plan to be away for an extended period of time, they are encouraged to utilize the Police Department’s House Watch Program via the Village website here. Residents are asked to also sign up for emergency notices here.

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