A burglary ruse in which thieves pose as city workers or contractors to gain entry to homes is the focus of a new community alert from Chicago police. CWBChicago first reported on the scam on Nov. 18th after incidents were reported in Lakeview and Roscoe Village.
Most recently, a Lincoln Park resident called police after a man posed as a contractor and asked for permission to enter their apartment to complete repairs on behalf of the landlord around 4 p.m. Monday in the 800 block of West Lill. The tenant wisely called their landlord first and learned that no work had been ordered.
And, according to the police department alert, similar incidents have been reported in the Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park neighborhoods since Nov. 20th.
Police say it is typical for one member of the team to ask the resident to take them to a remote area of the building to access a phony repair site while other members of the team burglarize the victim’s residence.
The suspects are described as white and/or Hispanic men between 21- and 30-years-old who stand 5’6” to 5’10” tall and weigh 150-200 pounds. They have been seen using a beige-colored pick-up truck, police said.
Anyone with information about these crimes may contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 regarding pattern P18-N-310.
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