North Aurora, IL – The North Aurora Police Department is investigating a series of ruse burglaries that have targeted senior citizens in recent days. A ruse burglary is when two or more suspects attempt to enter a home by distracting or confusing the homeowner(s).
The first happened in the 2400 block of S. River Rd. on Wednesday, November 11th at 12:15 p.m. A white female suspect in a small, older red pickup truck claimed to be with the electric company and told the 86 year old male homeowner that she needed to check the lines inside the home after the recent storm. The homeowner let the suspect in and brought her to the basement where the suspect turned on a water faucet, presumably to mask her accomplice entering the home, whom she used a walkie talkie to communicate with. The homeowner later found a file cabinet had been rifled through, but nothing appeared missing. The suspect was described as a white female, average height wearing a mask and a hat.
The next incident happened in the 0-100 block of S. Juniper Dr. on Saturday, November 14th at 3:49 p.m. Two Hispanic males in a white or silver SUV with black trim around the tires and on rear bumper told the 83 year old male homeowner that they were buying a house in the area and wanted information about the house. Missing was jewelry and some collectible coins. The suspects were described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6”, wearing a brown Carhartt-type jacket and a Hispanic male, approximately 5’9”. A surveillance video image later provided to police shows that the suspect vehicle appears to be a white, late model Ford Escape.
The last incident happened in the 500 block of N. River Rd. on Sunday, November 15th at 4:00 p.m. Two male suspects, either white or Hispanic, told the homeowners, age 82 & 83, that they were putting up a fence and wanted to show them the lot line markers. Afterwards, the homeowners discovered approximately $25,000 in jewelry missing, including a wedding ring. The suspects were described as a white or Hispanic male approximately in his 30’s and a white or Hispanic male approximately 25 years old. No suspect vehicle was seen.
These incidents remain under investigation by the North Aurora Police Department. Anyone with information should call the Investigations Division at (630) 897-8705, extension 758. Anonymous tips may be left by calling (630) 897-8705 and choosing option 3. Or call Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000 and receive a reward for information leading to a felony arrest.
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