New Details In Violent Oak Lawn Home Invasion, 4 Sought: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn police have released an image of a third person believed to be involved in Tuesday’s violent home invasion of an elderly woman in her 70s. Six investigators are working the case, police said.

Businesses on Cicero Avenue, from 103rd Street to 107th Street, are also being asked to check their security video between noon and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for images of a white Kia Optima.
The violent encounter unfolded around 6:10 p.m, when the woman, who was home alone, answered her front doorbell. The younger woman claimed to be selling candy. Police said the older woman declined buying candy and closed the door.

The doorbell rang a second time and the younger woman was still at the door, this time with a man wearing a white T-shirt over a blue hoodie. Police said the man was holding a gun when he forced his way into the elderly woman’s home. Once inside the house, police said a third man joined them.

The elderly woman was thrown to the floor, where the younger woman held her at gunpoint as the two men searched and ransacked the house, according to police.

The three fled the women’s home, where they met up with a fourth person driving a white Kia Optima, police said. The car was last seen traveling west on 105th Place toward Cicero Avenue.

The first suspect is described a short, heavyset black male, with short black hair. The second suspect is also a black male, in his 40s, tall, heavyset with a round face. Police said the female suspect is black, possibly in her teens, with a tall, thin build. She was described as nicely dress wearing an orange jacket, black pants, black shoes, and carrying a box of candy and wearing a backpack.

“The main priority of the police department is the safety of the community,” said Div. Chief Gerald Vetter, of the Oak Lawn Police Department. “We have 100-percent support from our village board and village manager and will continue to actively pursue those involved in this case and all other acts of violence and crime. We plan on utilizing every resource at our disposal that will assist in the arrest of those involved.”

Images from neighborhood home security cameras were shared by Oak Lawn police. Anyone who can help to identify the suspects in the images is asked to contact the Oak Lawn Police Detective Division at 708-907-4051. Tips can also be sent via text to 708-613-8477 and video can be shared at Oaklawn-Il.gov/camera-share.