Ruse Burglars Steal Elderly Homeowner's Cash: Police

MIDLOTHIAN, IL — A ruse burglar who distracted an elderly homeowner while his accomplice entered the house and ransacked the man’s bedroom, according to information obtained from police.

Midlothian police said that on Oct. 21, an observant neighbor watched a white Ford Explorer pull up on the elderly homeowner’s driveway with three men who appeared to be Hispanic. One of the men got out of the car and went to the door, where presented a badge identifying himself as inspector “Bob Gallager” for “City Expecting.”

“Bob Gallager” managed to convince the homeowner that he was there to perform an inspection. A few minutes after the man entered the home, another man in the SUV got out and slipped into the house. The neighbor said both men left the house in a hurry and drove off in the Ford Explorer, which had a temporary registration.

Police said the homeowner discovered that his bedroom had been ransacked and $400 missing. The inspector “Bob Gallager” dropped his fake ID badge.

The Ford Explorer and modus operandi are similar to ruse burglary scams that occurred over the summer in Darien, Countryside, McHenry, Midlothian and Dekalb.