Salesman accused of stealing $10,000 in electronics

Fox Lake police are trying to determine how many area residents may have been ripped off by a vacuum cleaner salesman charged with stealing $10,000 worth of electronics from a home.

Alan Dufield, 26, of the 600 block of Wegener Road, McHenry, is charged with residential burglary and unlawful use of credit cards, Lt. Jeff Norris said. Dufield also was in possession of credit cards linked to residential burglaries in Libertyville, Woodstock and Crystal Lake, Norris added.

"We are going through the evidence now and checking to see where or what else he might have stolen in other towns," Norris said. "We anticipate other charges to be filed against him as the investigation continues."

Police were contacted Monday by a resident who said his Pistakee Lake Road home was burglarized over the Memorial Day weekend, Norris said.

Police learned Dufield was invited into the home last week to demonstrate a vacuum cleaner. Investigators determined he returned to the house, broke in and stole the electronics, Norris said.

When Dufield was arrested at his residence about 2 p.m. Thursday, police found a stolen computer, digital camera and other electronics, as well as the stolen credit cards, Norris said.

"We are now going back to the people who own the credit cards and other police departments to determine the other crimes Dufield may have committed," he said.

The company Dufield worked for told police they hired him five days before the arrests. Company officials are cooperating with the investigation, Norris said.

Dufield is being held in the Lake County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond, of which he must post 10 percent to be released.

Dufield is due back in court June 22.