Three Cook County men have been accused of burglarizing an elderly couple’s residence home using a “contaminated water” ruse in Naperville.
According to a joint press release from the Dupage County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Naperville Police Department, on Monday, April 10, at approximately 4:38 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence on Waxwing Avenue for a report of a residential ruse burglary that had just occurred. Upon their arrival, officers spoke with the victims, an elderly couple in their seventies.
It is alleged that the couple were sitting in their vehicle in front of their residence when they were approached by a man wearing a yellow safety vest, later identified as one of the accused. The man told the couple that there was a problem with their water and that he was there to resolve the issue.
The accused convinced the elderly man to allow him into the home to inspect the water in the kitchen and that after looking at the kitchen water, convinced the man to go to the back of the residence so he could show him the utility boxes. As they left, the accused’s accomplices entered the home and stole approximately $6,000 of jewelry. While the accused was outside the residence with the victim, he was speaking to others on a two-way radio and, after a short time outside the residence, he and his accomplices fled the scene.
Naperville officers took the three men into custody later the same day at a Schaumburg pawn shop as they were attempting to sell multiple items of jewelry, some of which was identified as belonging to the victims.
Each of the accused appeared at a bond hearing Thursday morning where Judge Daniel Guerin set bonds ranging from $1 million to $100,000, with 10% to apply. All three men are charged with one count of Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Felony. In addition, two of the men are charged with Misdemeanor Attempt Possession of Burglary Tools.
“I want to caution homeowners throughout DuPage County to be on alert for this type of ruse, particularly as the weather gets nicer,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said. “Oftentimes, as alleged in this case, the perpetrators will tell the victim they are there in the interest of the victim, thereby reducing the victim’s suspicions. If you are approached by someone claiming to be from a utility company or service provider and have not received prior notification of their visit, trust your instincts. Whatever you do, do not let them into your home. Ask them where they are from and call the utility company or service provider for verification.
