Ruse Burglary Reported in Rolling Meadows Wednesday Afternoon

Rolling Meadows police reported on Facebook this afternoon that an elderly person was the victim of a “classic ruse burglary” Wednesday afternoon May 8, 2019. The police did not release a specific street block or neighborhood and did not release a specific time for the reported burglary.

Police also did not release any description of any possible suspects or vehicle descriptions connected with the ruse burglary.

Police also did not reveal the specific ruse technique or the type of fake story line that the ruse burglars used.

At this time there is no additional, specific information available. Rolling Meadows uses encrypted police radio talkgroups, which prevent any neighborhood watch groups or media agencies from understanding the incident in real time.

Ruse burglaries are committed by offenders generally traveling in pairs or groups. One offender uses a ‘ruse’ (a fake story line about a repair needed, for example) to distract the victim in order to bring the victim outside or inside in a remote part of the house, while the other offender or offenders enter the home to search for removable property and cash, jewelry and other items.

Ruse burglaries occur when victims are physically present at the home and distracted by a ‘ruse’ to a remote location indoors or outdoors so the actual burglars won’t be detected.

Common fake story lines include …

a claim of a need to repair gutters, fences or tree trimming and landscaping,

a claim of a need for blacktop, seal-coating, or driveway repair,

a claim that there is an electrical problem outside of the home,

a claim that Unilock pavers need to be repaired,

a claim that there is a problem with a neighbor’s house,

a claim that the exact property line needs to be investigated,

a claim that the offender is interested in home sales in the neighborhood, or

a claim of a need for water main or water service repair with inquiries about the homeowner’s water supply or water pressure.*

*When the water-related ruse occurs the offender often runs water to prevent the actual burglars from being heard while they are using stairs or removing property or cash from the home.

Specific Neighborhood Watch awareness is essential for preventing crimes such as ruse burglaries from happening, and for detecting suspicious persons who may be involved in committing burglaries.

^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^

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