Police Warn Of Scammers Burglarizing Homes In Wilmette

WILMETTE, IL — Many North Shore communities have been experiencing an uptick in reports of ruse and diversionary burglaries recently, police said. Wilmette police said at least three home burglaries have occurred over the past two weeks on the same street. They asked asked residents to be aware of the crime pattern and help prevent burglars from scamming their way into people's homes using distractions and false pretenses.

Police said the most recent residential burglary took place last Friday between 5:10 and 5:25 p.m. in the 600 block of Leclaire Avenue. Several people showed up at the front door of a house and claimed they were working on their neighbors water, police were told. A man described as Hispanic allegedly claimed the neighbor's water was green. The suspects convinced one resident to go to the kitchen sink and lured another to the basement to run the water.

After the men left in a light-colored van parked in the driveway, the residents called police and found $75 had been stolen from their bedroom, police said.

The week earlier, in the 500 block of Leclaire Avenue on Jan. 20, a resident told police a man, described as in his 30s with a dark complexion, showed up and claimed there was a hole on her garage roof. Police said he tried to get her to come outside, but she refused.

The man then got into the passenger side of an olive green or gray colored pickup truck, according to police.

And on Jan. 19, police said someone broke open a side door in the 800 block of Leclaire Avenue. The burglar or burglars rummaged through the master bedroom and stole jewelry.

Wilmette police said there is normally an increase in reports of such crimes in the fall and winter months, which they said could be chalked up to the fact it gets dark earlier. They often include burglars pretending to be public utility workers as they try to lure people out of their houses or use false pretenses to get inside.

Police in neighboring Northfield last month warned of some common elements in recent ruse burglaries. Many have taken place between 1 and 6 p.m. and have used excuses about checking the water or trimming trees. Three to four people, described as "dark complected males" between the ages of 30 and 40 show up in the same vehicle. They listed more than a dozen ruse burglaries reported on the North Shore in December.

Police reminded residents not to let anyone inside your home, unless you have scheduled an appointment or you know them, and not to be lured out of their homes or into the backyard without first locking the doors.

If the person claims to be working with a local government agency or public utility, ask them for their identification.

If someone comes asking for help, offer to call the police for them.

If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to 911 immediately.

Some examples of signs of possible ruse burglary crews include people sitting in running cars parked on residential streets for longer than normal, people standing in front of homes and looking around, people who try not to be seen after being noticed, people slowly walking through alleys and looking into garages and backyards or cars driving slowly or repeatedly through residential neighborhoods.

Police asked that callers be ready to provide a detailed description of any suspects, including height, weight and clothing, as well as any suspect vehicles, including their license plates, if possible.

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