Police Warn Of Ruse Burglaries Targeting Elderly Residents On NW Side

CHICAGO (STMW) -- Police are warning residents about a series of ruse burglaries targeting elderly people across the city's Northwest Side over the past two weeks.

In the reported incidents, one man typically approaches an elderly victim's home and tries to use a ruse—such as construction work or damage to their garage—to distract the victim while another person enters the home to steal property, according to a community alert from police News Affairs.

The man distracting the victims often tries to get them to either exit their homes or invite him in so he can keep them distracted in a specific part of the home, police said. In one instance, one of the suspects identified himself as a City of Chicago employee.

The suspects have been described as white men between 25 and 40 years old, standing 5-foot-7 to 6 feet tall and weighing 165 to 220 pounds, police said. One of the men was described as having a scar on his face.

Burglaries or thefts were reported at the following locations and times:

--In the 2600 block of North Merrimac Avenue about 1:30 p.m. March 19.

--In the 5400 block of West Agatite Avenue between 10 a.m. and noon March 27.

--In the 5300 block of West Winnemac Avenue about 11 a.m. March 27.

--In the 6200 block of North Drake Avenue at 2:05 p.m. March 29.

--In the 3000 block of North Sayre Avenue at 2:30 p.m. March 30.

--In the 3000 block of North Marmora Avenue at 3:05 p.m. March 31.

Anybody with information about the incidents is asked to contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.