Burglars Target Elderly in Unincorporated Portions of Cook County

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of several ruse burglaries that have occurred in unincorporated portions of the county in recent weeks.

In each case, the burglars approach victims, who are often senior citizens, at their homes and claimed they are utility workers, landscapers or new neighbors. Police said in each case, the offender would lead victims to a backyard or another part of the house to distract them while other offenders enter the homes and take cash and valuables, according to a Cook County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The ruse burglaries have been reported in unincorporated Glenview, Niles, Palatine and Roselle.

Police are reminding residents not to let anyone they are not expecting into their home, talk through the door and if the person says he or she is utility or company employee, call that agency to verify that an employee has legitimate business at your home. Do not use the phone number the person at the door gives you.

If you encounter anyone suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately. Sheriff Dart asks anyone with information regarding any of the burglaries to call the Sheriff’s Police Investigation Section at 708-865-4896.