Cops: Thieves posing as Elgin workers

Elgin police are warning residents to be on the lookout for people posing as water department employees as they search for two men who robbed a woman on Elgin's east side Sunday afternoon.

Police say a well-dressed man went to a home on the 200 block of Sioux Drive and told the female resident that he needed to check the water pressure. The woman, who was home alone at the time, accompanied the man to the basement where he turned a few faucets on and off, said Deputy Chief Jeff Swoboda of the Elgin Police Department.

The victim told police that when the man left the house she saw a second man join the first man outside.

A short time later the victim said she noticed some collectible coins and stamps were missing, while other possessions had also been rummaged through. A value of the coins and stamps was not determined.

Swoboda said such incidents have occurred in the past. He said city employees would drive a marked truck and should present identification.

If residents are unsure of a person claiming to be from the city, Swoboda advised residents to call the police nonemergency number at (847) 289-2700 to verify the visit.

The incident remains under investigation.