Senior Thwarts Possible Ruse Burglary Attempt: Police

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park police are investigating a suspicious incident that happened Saturday night, when a teen demanded to be let into an older homeowner’s house because she was fighting with her family. Officers are looking into the incident as a possible ruse burglary attempt.

Around 6 p.m., the older homeowner was watching television in her home near Rt. 83 and St. Moritz when her front doorbell rang. She was home alone and encountered a young girl between 14 and 18 years old, police said. The teen told the woman she was fighting with a family member and asked to be let in because she needed help.

The homeowner called 911 and told the teen to wait for Palos Park police. The teen ran away. Officers canvassed the area but could not find the girl. Police said no domestic dispute calls had been reported to area 911 centers and nearby police departments.

Police described the teen as black with a light complexion. She was wearing a red-and-white face mask, black jacket and black pants.

“This could have been a ruse to gain entry, but the senior did exactly what you should do, called 911,” police said.