For the past few weeks the Will County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with several elderly citizens who reported being a victim of a ‘ruse’ burglary. Ruse burglaries are when an unknown subject knocks on a victims’ door and identifies themselves as a government employee, such as from the Gas Company, water department, etc., or engages in a conversation regarding ‘work being done in the neighborhood’.  The subject then requests to enter the residence to check on a specific problem or attempts to get the resident out of the home to show the work they are going to do.  While the victim is occupied with the first subject, a second subject enters the residence and takes valuables such as jewelry and cash. 

Will County has recently experienced these types of burglaries in the unincorporated areas of Homer Glen and Homer Township.  Suspects have been described as males, either Hispanic, Hispanic looking, and/or white.  Some are on foot and others have driven a vehicle and parked in the victim’s driveway while they commit the crime.  The crimes are occuring during the day in the mid afternoon hours.   

Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas is asking caretakers, neighbors, and relatives of the elderly to please educate them about these types of crimes.  They should be made aware not to allow anyone inside their home during daylight or evening hours.  If they believe something appears suspicious they should contact their local police department immediately.  Be an observant neighbor.  If you see something suspicious please call the Sheriff's Office or your municipal police department and provide as much information as possible, such as, physical descriptions, number of people, vehicle type, license plate number, and direction of travel.

If anyone you know has experienced this type of crime, please notify your local police department or the Will County Sheriff’s Office at 815-727-8575.