Elderly couple targeted in ruse burglary on Southwest Side
A community alert is warning residents, especially seniors, about a ruse burglary on the city's Southwest Side.
Neighbors say they're left shaken after an elderly couple was lured out of their home by thieves, who ransacked their house and stole from them.
Sam Washington says he's keeping an extra eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
"With me, you know, I'm always checking my surroundings," he said. "You have to really be careful who you let in or even talk to."
Last week, near 115th and Campbell, a man knocked on an elderly couple's front door.
"I believe in this case it was some type of landscaping discussion. We can take care of these overgrown trees," said Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th).
An investigation revealed that when the husband and wife in their 80s stepped out to listen to the estimate, another man slipped into the house.
A neighbor spotted the second man going inside and tried getting the couple's attention, but it was too late. The thieves still got away with cash, jewelry and other valuables.
"The car was parked down the block, which is typical in these cases. They don't park right out in front. There was a decent description and detectives are working the case," O'Shea said.
The thieves removed the license plate. While this is the only crime reported recently, O'Shea insisted Chicago police put out an alert because the crime targeted seniors.
"These types of crimes we see a lot in the suburbs. We don't see very often in our community," he said.
Washington was more disturbed because it wasn't a random door knock.
"They followed them from the grocery store," he said.
Washington says there are clusters of seniors still living alone in their homes within the community.
For that reason, the alderman is reminding seniors to never open their door for anyone soliciting. He says if you hear a knock, lock the door and call 911.
"That's why we usually see in our community ... nosy neighbors. Nosy neighbors are the best defense," he said.
The neighbor who spotted the burglar is a retired CPD officer. His actions reduced the time the crooks had inside the house.
Police are encouraging people to stay alert, especially when returning home.
