Wheeling residential burglaries may be linked

Wheeling police are investigating a spate of residential burglaries that may be connected to the recent Buffalo Grove spree, an official said Tuesday.

Wheeling has had six home break-ins this month, which is unusually high, Deputy Police Chief William Benson said.

Neighboring Buffalo Grove has had eight residential burglaries this month.

"One to two would be average for a month," Benson said. "Our detectives have been working closely with Buffalo Grove and other area departments. We've gotten some leads that we're actively pursuing. We feel that there are some commonalities in the burglaries."

Among similarities are that the burglars often pry open a window or patio door to enter, and mostly take jewelry.

Police are soliciting residents' help.

"We would ask that any suspicious activity be reported immediately," Benson said. "Just anything that stands out, please we are asking that you call us. Be extra diligent and keep an eye on not just your property, but your neighbors' and your neighborhood."

Between June 1 and Dec. 31, Wheeling Police recorded 15 single-family residential burglaries. Between June and December last year, Buffalo Grove had 19 burglaries.

Police in Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect will join forces to educate area residents about protecting their homes and cars against burglaries at a Feb. 17 town hall meeting.

The meeting will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Jack London Middle School, 1001 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling.

"We're going to tell them everything we can to educate them about not becoming a victim," Benson said.

January Wheeling burglaries include:

• Burglars forced open the front door at a home on the 400 block of Prestwick Lane between 8 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Jan. 23, ransacked two bedrooms and stole three designer watches, various pieces of jewelry and cash. Total value was estimated at $30,700.

• Burglars opened a patio door at a home on the 700 block of Kristy Lane between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24, and ransacked two bedrooms and an office.

• Burglars opened the rear sliding patio door at a home on the 700 block of Kristy Lane between 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 1:44 a.m. Jan. 25, placed a kitchen chair against the inside of the front door, and ransacked the dressers in the master bedroom.

• Burglars forced open the dining room patio door at a home in the 0-100 block of Cedar Drive between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6.

• Burglars forced open a kitchen window at a home In the 100 block of Coral Lane between 4 and 6 p.m. Jan. 6.

• Burglars forced open a family room window at a home in the 0-100 block of Willow Trail between 7:20 a.m. and 10:25 p.m. Jan. 6. Numerous items of jewelry were missing. The loss was estimated at $21,000.