After several “ruse entry” burglaries were reported recently in Norridge, police are advising residents to be on guard against such scams, which typically increase this time of year.
On April 3, a ruse burglary was reported in the 4500 block of North Thatcher Avenue. At about 3:15 p.m., a man wearing all dark clothing, a baseball cap, and sunglasses knocked on a door, police said.
According to police, the man was told to go away but then insisted he must enter the residence to check on electric and water. The resident told police he believed the man was from the village’s building department, so he unlocked the door and allowed the man to go to the basement.
While in the basement with the man, the resident said another man came downstairs. The two men told him there was nothing wrong and walked outside into his driveway where he noticed a black sports utility vehicle parked, he told police. He told police he didn’t know in which direction the vehicle then went.
Back in the house, the resident went into the master bedroom and saw drawers open on a dresser, he told police. He told police that approximately $2,000 was taken out of the dresser drawer.
Police said a village crossing guard reported observing a black SUV with a Minnesota registration plate — fitting the description of the vehicle seen outside the Thatcher house.
At about 3:50 p.m. that same day, a burglary was reported on North Orange Avenue. A woman told police that a man had approached the front door of the residence at approximately noon, offering to repair the front steps.
The woman said she called her husband to come to the front door to talk to the man. She said he told the man the stairs did not need any repairing, but he informed the man of water leaks occurring in the basement.
The man offered further services at that point, stating that he had just come from another construction job and had extra materials with him. The residents allowed the man to enter through the back door, accompanying him to the basement area, police said.
The woman told police that while downstairs she saw what appeared to be a “shadow” walk past her backyard. She said the man then informed her that he would be back in an hour. He left through the back door, she said, and ran off in an unknown direction.
Several hours later, the woman entered her bedroom in the front of the residence and discovered that $500 in cash was missing from her dresser drawer. She told police an unknown amount of gold and silver chains, as well as some costume jewelry, appeared to be missing from a brown jewelry box she kept on top of the dresser. She estimated the value of the jewelry at $400.
Police said they also were called to a home on the 4900 block of North Prospect Avenue at 3:20 p.m. April 16. A man told police he had been informed by his mother that a man entered the residence, insisting he be allowed to fix her roof and saying he would need to use hot water for the job.
She said she had brought the man to the basement to use the hot water. She said the man informed her he would be back at a later time to fix the roof, leaving through the back door and heading in an unknown direction. She told police she did not see him enter or exit a vehicle.
Police advised the woman’s son to make sure his mother kept her residence locked at all times and not to answer the door for any unknown visitors. Police also advised them to contact police immediately if the man should return.
On April 11, a Norridge resident reported receiving a call, informing him he had won money through Publishers Clearing House.
He called the man back the next day to give him information on how he could retrieve his winnings, police said. He offered him a way to save taxes on the amount by depositing the money in a bank account he supplied the man. He called the man back a third time that same day, telling him that the company would deliver a cashier’s check to his residence on the following Monday.
The man told police he started becoming suspicious that he was being scammed and contacted Publishers Clearing House, which informed him that, unfortunately, he wasn’t a winner. The man then came to the Norridge Police Station to report the incident, expressing concern that the people he had been talking to may show up in his driveway.
Norridge police on their Facebook page posted information aimed at preventing people from falling victim to such attempts. Police said people should not allow anyone into their home who is not known. If someone looks suspicious, residents should call 911.
Also, police said people should lock all of their doors if they would be working outside. Police said solicitors must register and have a village ID issued. Also, police urged those who have elderly family members in the village to go over the tips with them.
