Chicago police warn of home burglaries targeting elderly residents across multiple neighborhoods

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago police are warning of more than a dozen home burglaries targeting elderly residents in the past month.

Authorities say 14 burglaries have been reported in:

• Garfield Ridge
• Brighton Park
• Scottsdale
• Armour Square
• Bridgeport
• McKinley Park

According to the Chicago Police Department, the suspects communicate through handheld radios and create situations to get victims to exit their homes.

They have made excuses like pretending they hit the victim’s garage door with their car or claiming to be with the city’s water department or a construction employee working nearby, police say.

There are multiple unknown people involved, according to police. No arrests have been made.

The vehicles used in the burglaries are described as either a white van without license plates, a 2023 gray Chevrolet Colorado without license plates, a black Chevrolet Traverse with custom white rims or a white pickup truck, police say.

One resident of McKinley Park says he has never heard of anything like this happening in the seven years he has lived there and now plans to buy security cameras for his home.

Police are advising the public to be cautious of anyone trying to lure you away from your home and to immediately report suspicious activity.