Local police warn of ruse burglaries

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Updated: February 13, 2012 8:31AM

Local police are warning residents to be on the lookout for potential home scam artists after several ruse burglaries have been reported in the area.

Police in Mundelein, Libertyville and Vernon Hills and other Lake County communities have all reported incidences in recent months of individuals posing as utility workers, contractors, landscapers and government employees that distract homeowners while others enter their homes to steal homes. The burglars typically target elderly residents.

Mundelein Deputy Police Chief John Monahan said one of two ruse or distraction burglaries have been reported in Mundelein in the last few months, with the most recent one occurring in November. He would not comment on specific details of that case because it’s under investigation.

“I can confirm we have had some in Mundelein in the last couple months and we are actively working them,” said Monahan.

Typically what happens in a ruse burglary is one of two individuals come to the door and tell the resident they work for the utility company, cable company or a landscaping business and need to do work in the backyard, Monahan said. While distracting the homeowner, another individual will enter the home looking for valuables, notably jewelry or cash.

‘Come in waves’

“These things are pretty cyclical, but they tend to come in waves,” said Monahan.

Vernon Hills Police have received reports of two attempted ruse burglaries in recent months.

The most recent one occurred on Nov. 28 where a Hispanic male came to the door of an elderly woman said he needed to check something in the home but she refused to let him inside, according to Vernon Hills Crime Prevention Officer Sharon Joseph. The other one occurred in August where a Hispanic male came to the door of a male resident and told him he needed to replace a water pipe and check the water pressure. The man let the suspect into his home and afterwards the victim noticed his liquor cabinet and his desk had been opened and gone through but nothing was taken, Joseph said.

“They’ll use any kind of excuse to try to get the resident away from the front door so their friends can come in (and steal items),” she said.

Libertyville Police Sgt. Dennis Meserve said Libertyville had a report of a ruse burglary on Nov. 22 which ultimately resulted in the arrest of a Mount Prospect man.

In that incident, the individual came to the front door of an elderly woman and said he was there to check a power line in her backyard. While distracting the woman, someone else entered the house and stole several pieces of jewelry from the master bedroom area, Meserve said.

After an investigation, Libertyville police were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Peter Ely, 50, of Mount Prospect for one count of residential burglary. Ely was eventually taken into custody by Mount Prospect Police on Dec. 14 and then turned over to Libertyville Police, where he was subsequently remanded to the Lake County Jail on a $250,000 bond. No jewelry was recovered from the arrest.

Local authorities advise residents to not let individuals in their homes they are uninvited and to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.