Shorewood Police Working to Solve 'Ruse' Burglary

Shorewood police still are working to solve a "ruse" burglary that occurred in the mid-afternoon hours on Monday in the 500 block of Sean Drive.

Jason Barten, a sergeant in the investigations unit, said on Tuesday police have little to go on in the way of concrete information. He said they are looking for two suspects who reportedly posed as sewage contractors and were driving a dark—or black—SUV.

Barten said an elderly woman was approached by a male hispanic suspect while she was out in her yard on Monday afternoon and that's when the "ruse" plot unfolded.

"He told her the neighbors were going to need some sewage repair work done and they would be bringing in heavy equipment and digging a trench in her yard," Barten said.

He said another suspect used the time when the elderly woman was preoccupied—perhaps 2-3 minutes—to enter the woman's home and steal jewelry and family heirlooms, the value of the missing items still undetermined at this point, Barten said.

"The suspect told the elderly woman he would return the next day and would get her a business card," Barten said. "By the time she walked back around her house, the dark—or black—SUV was pulling out of her driveway."

Barten urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Shorewood police investigations unit at (815) 725-1460.

"Coincidentally, there was a similar incident earlier in the day that occurred in unincorporated Will County—on South Renwick Park Drive," Barten said. "These type of 'ruse' burglaries have been going on every summer in the Chicago area for some time.

"Unfortunately, it was just a matter of time before we had one here in Shorewood."

Barten already is building a profile on the two suspects.

"This is obviously a professional, organized crew—we know that just by how fast and how meticulous they work," he said. "I'd remind people if you have a contractor come to your home, don't hesitate to ask for credentials. Verify who they are.

"Most contractors won't have a problem producing an ID card. And, if you don't feel comfortable with someone, contact us. We'll come and check them out."