This Group Is Committing Ruse Burglaries: Burr Ridge Chief

BURR RIDGE, IL — Residents, particularly older ones, are sometimes the victims of ruse burglaries in Burr Ridge and nearby suburbs. In such a crime, one person who poses as a utility or other service worker distracts the homeowner while another enters the house and commits theft.

Burr Ridge Police Chief John Madden mentioned this type of crime during his annual report to the Village Board on Monday.

"It is extremely important to address the threats that are external to our village, that are coming into our village," Madden said. "I've got an intelligence report in my folder that is 65 pages of data listing suspect vehicles and burglary cases that are primarily European travelers formerly known as Gypsies. They perform and conduct these ruse burglaries."

Madden said Burr Ridge detectives are working with many jurisdictions, including Chicago, trying to identify the ruse of burglary suspects.

In an email to Patch on Thursday, Deputy Police Chief Marc Loftus gave a further description of the ruse burglary suspects.

"While the lineage might be descended from Eastern Europe, there are established groups of Travelers that have been born and raised in America. And, to be clear, these types of crimes can be committed by anyone. When we, or other law enforcement agencies, encounter these groups, though, they will very often self-identify as 'Roma,'" Loftus said.

According to police reports in the area, ruse burglary suspects are often described as Hispanic.

"The description is particularly difficult, especially in the last year, because everyone is wearing masks," Loftus said in the email. "Often, an offender will be described as Hispanic because when there are two or more working together, the victim will describe them talking in a foreign language that, to them, sounds Spanish. More importantly in these situations, the description of clothing and behavior is what is more important. As you’ll see in the video, the alleged offender is wearing a traffic safety vest, and work clothes, to give the appearance of a utility or Village worker."

In 2014, stories appeared in the Chicago media about a group of ruse burglary suspects of Roma descent, commonly known as Gypsies, arrested in connection with such crimes in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood.

Here are recent Patch stories about nearby ruse burglaries:

2 Attempted Ruse Burglaries On Burr Ridge Street: Police

How A Ruse Burglary Happened In Burr Ridge

Western Springs Ruse Burglary Victim Older: Cops

Ruse Burglars Target Hinsdale Resident: Cops