Heartless Burglar Leaves Homeowner's Dog Running Loose in Backyard: Cops

A heartless burglar left a homeowner’s dog running loose in the backyard and after heisting a 42-inch television from the home, reports said.

Oak Lawn police responded to a burglary in the 5800 block of West 89th Place. According to the police, the homeowner left for work around 2:15 p.m. Jan. 11. When she returned home later in the evening, she found her back door open and her dog running around the backyard.

The homeowner reported that her 42-inch television was missing from the living room. Nothing else appeared missing or out of place in the house, police said.

Officers observed that a sliding window leading from the patio to an enclosed three seasons room was open. A folding chair had been placed underneath a kitchen window, which was also left open.

• Also on Patch: Burglars Unwrap Christmas Gifts, Steal Van: Police

Police believe the burglar or burglars hopped the fence in the backyard. No visible footprints were observed, but two snow-covered footprints were seen leading from the gate to the alley.

Mayor Sandra Bury addressed the uptick in residential burglaries at the Jan. 12 Oak Lawn Village Board meeting, stating that she meets regularly with Police Chief Michael Murray to review police reports and discuss crime.

“I’m a big believer in getting the word out and empowering our residents to stay safe,” Bury said. “Social media is out there. It seems like more is going on because people are talking about it.”

The police chief has shifted around employees and it’s “all hands on deck,” the mayor said.

“I want residents to know that not every police officer is in a marked car,” Bury said. “The police may be out there, but not really visible and this is by intention. They are getting good leads from residents and they are following up on those leads.

Bury added that reported residential and car burglaries were actually down in 2015, ending the year at 108.

According to Bury, reported residential and car burglaries in 2011 were 139; 113 in in 2012; 111 in 2013 and 121 in 2014.

“Residents know these numbers fluctuate,” she continued. “They happen to be down now, but next year they could be up. IT depends, I’m told, if there is a person doing mischief in our community, and the mischief is something we all care about. Still, the numbers don’t matter if it happens to you.”

Oak Lawn police want residents to call 911 if they see something unusual or out of the ordinary in their neighborhood.

“Really, you’re not bothering [the police],” the mayor said. “This is what they want. They want you to give them leads. They cannot be everywhere. We could multiply your taxes by 100-fold, and we still can’t put a police officer on every corner in Oak Lawn.”

Residents should also sign up to receive Everbridge alerts to receive time-sensitive messages for your home, workplace or children’s school. Everbridge sends message to your home, business or cell phone, email, text messages or hearing impaired receiving devices.

Everbridge disseminates messages quickly about severe weather, road closures, building evacuations, missing person or other urgent events. The village also uses the system to notify residents about community events.

The Everbridge system covers Oak Lawn, Burbank, Evergreen Park and Bridgeview. Register on the Village of Oak Lawn website.

Meanwhile, Oak Lawn police ask anyone with information about this burglary or the other incidents to call 708-422-8292.