Schaumburg man robbed after one suspect posed as landscaper, distracted victim while another stole valuables

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - An 88-year-old man had jewelry and cash stolen from his Schaumburg home after a suspect posed as a landscaper and distracted the man, while another suspect searched the home for valuables. 

At about 1:05 p.m. on Thursday, police responded to a suspected ruse burglary at a home in the 1500 block of Myrtle Park Street.

When officers arrived, they discovered that one of the unidentified offenders posed as a landscaper and entered the victim's home to distract him while another offender searched the house for valuables.

The offenders then left in a white vehicle, possibly a small van or SUV, police said.

The victim noticed two bedrooms had been rummaged through, and jewelry and cash were missing. 

Detectives believe the man was the victim of a ruse entry burglary, which is when an offender poses as a worker or neighbor to distract a victim while another offender enters the home to take cash and valuables. 

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Police provided the following safety tips to avoid falling victim to ruse burglaries: 

• Talk through the door.
• Do not let anyone you are not expecting into your home. 
• If the person says he or she is a utility employee, call that agency to verify that an employee has legitimate business at your home. Do not use the phone number the person at the door gives you. 
• Note any vehicle information – license plate, make and model of the vehicle.
• Call 911 immediately if you encounter anyone suspicious. 

Anyone with information regarding this burglary is asked to call detectives at 708-865-4896.