Sheriff's Office warns about ruse burglaries

Northern Illinois tends to see an increase in ruse burglaries during the summer months. Ruse burglars have already been striking this summer in Lake County and surrounding areas.

A ruse burglary is a distraction technique used to lure homeowners outside of their home. After the homeowner is outside the home and distracted by one individual, another individual(s) enters the home, typically targeting items to steal such as cash, jewelry, and other items of value.

Suspects will use many excuses to lure homeowners outside the residence, including claims of being subcontracted by local government, ploys of a broken pipe, schemes for landscaping services such as tree trimming, fence line questions and so forth.

In addition to luring homeowners outside the home, some offenders will divert homeowners' attention inside their home. There are also instances when offenders will remain inside with homeowners, distracting them while other individuals enter the home unbeknown to homeowners. Senior citizens are frequently the intended target of these crimes.

"It's so very important to keep a watchful eye on your neighborhood. Senior citizens are very vulnerable to ruse-related crimes, so please keep an extra eye out for senior neighbors, family members, and friends," Sheriff Mark Curran said.

"If you see a person or car in the area you don't recognize, or anything you feel is suspicious, safely take note of the vehicle or person's description, the license plate, and call 911," Undersheriff Ray Rose said. "Deputies would rather respond to a false alarm than miss an opportunity to apprehend these burglars."

A few additional reminders about preventing ruse burglaries:

• Never allow anyone inside your home without a prescheduled appointment.

• If an individual claims affiliation with your local government, ask the person to produce identification and call the government office to verify the individual.

• Do not exit your home with an unscheduled visitor, leaving your home and valuables as potential targets.

• Keep an extra watch on elderly neighbors and family members, reminding them of these types of criminal behaviors.

• Educate relatives and neighbors (especially the elderly), informing them ruse burglaries are on the increase in Lake County.

• Immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 911.