Thief Targets Tinley 87-year-old in Ruse Burglary

An 87-year-old woman recently reported a ruse burglary that she believes took place at the end of August, about a week and a half before she noticed at about $10,000 worth of jewelry missing from her home.

were dispatched Sept. 5 to the woman's house in the 8900 block of Bluebird Drive. A 12-karat gold charm bracelet — it had about 30 charms on it and was appraised in 2006 at $905 — and a 14-karat white gold engagement ring worth $9,000 were stolen, according to the police report.

The woman told police that around Aug. 20, a stranger came to her house and said he'd bought the home next door. He told her he had to do some electrical work in her backyard and the two spent 10 to 15 minutes chatting on her back patio, police said.

"(The victim) stated she did not see a car, nor did she see anyone else with him," the report said.

He never returned to do the work, police said, and the neighbors told the woman that they'd never sold their home.

Police continue to warn residents about ruse burglaries, in which someone pretending to be a neighbor or municipal worker distracts a homeowner —often an elderly person—in the back yard while one or more accomplices sneak in to steal cash or jewelry.

To report suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call the at 708-444-5300.

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