Village Officials Warn Residents About Ruse Burglars

The is warning residents to be on alert for local ruse burglaries targeting senior citizens.

During the past several months, Tinley and many other suburban municipalities have seen an uptick in this scam in which residents are distracted while others sneak into their homes, stealing jewelry, cash and other valuables, according to a news release sent today by the department.

The , when a thief claimed to be a village employee. The and the police department are working with other area agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators of these crimes, the release said.

The scams occur when people approach residents at their homes claiming to be a utility or construction worker, or village employee who has to do work in their backyards.

Suspects ask residents to join them in the backyard to discuss the job, distracting them while an accomplice enters the house from another door to steal valuables.

Here are some tips to avoid being scammed by a ruse burglar:

• Demand official identification from people who come to your door unannounced claiming to need access to your yard or home area. Legitimate companies will have issued identification to their employees. ( employees carry official photo identification).

• Demand identification from all door-to-door solicitors. The village requires all solicitors to register and issues identification that the person must be wearing and be willing to show you.

• Do not let strangers into your home or do what they ask unless they have sufficient identification from their employer or from the village. If you are unsure, please call 911 to have the person checked out. Keep your door locked and do not allow them access.

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