2 Local Cases Closed: Rompa Says Bolingbrook Police Play Role in Shutting Down 'Ruse Burglary Crew'

Two "ruse" burglary cases in Bolingbrook have been closed and charges are pending in a third—with similar modus operandi—according to Bolingbrook Police Lt. Mike Rompa.

The news follows on the heels of an effort by Bolingbrook Police Investigators, who teamed with the Illinois State Police Task Force and several other law enforcement agencies to make six arrests and shut down a "Ruse Burglary Crew" that had been working in the Chicago suburbs, Rompa said.

"Bolingbrook was able to obtain specific evidentiary items which directly assisted the Task Force in making (six) arrests of this Ruse Burglary Crew on numerous cases throughout the Chicago area/suburbs," Rompa said.

One of the men arrested, Sonny Ziko, 37, of the 2700 block of Western Avenue, Chicago, has been charged with residential burglary in connection with two incidents that took place in Bolingbrook, Rompa said.

The first incident occurred on the 500 block of Castle Court on Oct. 23. Rompa said police responded to the location at 1:55 p.m. in reference to a residential burglary.

"The preliminary investigation alleged an elderly female victim was distracted by a male subject in regards to some construction needing to be done at the rear of her home," Rompa said. "The subject was speaking a foreign language as they walked together around the rear of the house. The subject left and the victim observed several rooms disturbed in the home."

Rompa said jewelry and cash—$2,000—was stolen. He described the suspect as a male, approximately 5-10 and 180 pounds. Rompa said the subject drove a gold mini-van.

The second Bolingbrook incident—a botched residential burglary—occurred in the 600 block of Forest Way on Nov. 6. Rompa said Bolingbrook police were called to the location at 2:30 p.m. after an elderly couple was approached by a male subject at the front door.

"The subject inquired if they had a lawnmower for sale," Rompa said. "The male became startled by something and left the area in a tan mini-van."

Rompa said the description of the Forest Way subject matched the first incident—a male, approximately 5-10 and 180 pounds. He said the Forest Way incident was investigated in conjunction with the Caste Court burglary.

Ziko also was one of six men charged in ruse burglary incidents resolved earlier in Orland Park and Palos Park. Read More About That Here: Six Men Accused of Ruse Burglaries in Orland Park and Palos Park.