Car Stolen From Tinley Park Home After Thieves Broke In: Cops

TINLEY PARK, IL — Thieves entered a Tinley Park home Sunday afternoon and took car keys before stealing the homeowner's car, and police believe the incident may be related to two other near break-ins reported later that night.

An unoccupied house in the 17600 block of 66th Court was entered around 2 p.m. on Sunday, when the thieves took the car keys and left with the owner's silver 2005 Chevy Cruze, police said in a news release on Monday. Prior to the burglary, a brown sedan with red license plates was seen in the area and could be related to the theft, according to police.

Police are unsure but suspect "given the unusual cluster of the crimes" that the home burglary and car theft are connected to a pair of incidents which occurred after midnight.

At 12:52 a.m., a resident of the 7400 block of 170th Place told police he observed "several subjects" in his backyard before scaring them off. The subjects reportedly fled in a white or silver car. Damage was found to the homeowner's screen door.

Just 15 minutes later, a resident in the 6800 block of 172nd Street found a back door forcibly opened and several items missing. The homeowner awoke to a noise but was unable to see who it was.

“We urge all residents to lock your cars and houses, keep outside lights on and call 9-1-1 if you see or hear any suspicious behavior,” Tinley Park Police Chief Steve Neubauer said.

Police continue to search for the missing vehicle from the Sunday afternoon incident, which has an Illinois registration number of Z332103.