Elmhurst cops warning of 'burglary ruse'

Elmhurst police are cautioning residents about a recent burglary involving a woman posing as a city water department employee.

Police say the woman came to a house on the 300 block of East May Street around 4 p.m. Wednesday and told the resident she was there to check the water system in the basement. While the bogus employee and resident were downstairs together, it appears a second person entered the house and went through the resident's bedroom.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic woman in her mid-30s with a heavy build and long brown hair. She was wearing khaki pants and a tan shirt and holding a notebook. She left the scene in a gray sedan.

Police say residents should be aware that city employees will wear Elmhurst uniforms, have identification cards, and drive fully marked city vehicles. If the city requires access to water service inside a residence, it always will call ahead to make an appointment.

Chief Michael Ruth urged residents to call 911 to have police respond if they are approached by a person claiming to be a city employee or a utility worker and asking for access to their homes.