***RUSE BURGLARY ALERT***
The weather is warming up, increasing the opportunity for ruse burglaries. Ruse burglaries are committed by offenders generally travelling in pairs. One offender uses a ‘ruse’ to distract the victim, while the other offender enters the home to search for and steal cash, jewelry and other items.
Offenders use many story lines including:
• Offering to repair gutters, fences or tree trimming and landscaping
• Blacktop, seal-coating, or driveway repair
• Inquiries about the homeowner’s water supply or water pressure
• Informing the homeowner there is an electrical problem outside of the home
• Repairing unilock pavers
• False statements about problems with the neighbor’s house
• Questions about homeowner’s property lines
• Inquiries about homes for sale in the neighborhood
Safety tips:
• Do not allow anyone in your home unless you know them personally or it is a scheduled appointment.
• If a solicitor comes to your residence, take notice of the vehicle they are driving (make, model, color, type) and their attire and physical characteristics.
• If you choose to speak with a solicitor or utility worker, never leave your front door unlocked or unattended.
• A legitimate utility or government worker will never object if you ask for ID.
• You may verify with the utility company or local government agency if the individual was sent to your residence.
• Share these tips with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
If you feel you were the victim of a ruse burglary or if you witnessed suspicious vehicles and/or subjects approaching elderly neighbors, please call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 847-549-5200 to report these incidents.
Call 911 if the incident is in progress. Please be ready to provide the offender’s vehicle description and a license plate number.