Police warn elderly of diversion tactics in local burglaries

From press release

During the past year, several elderly residents have been victims of burglaries when a male subject comes to their residence during the day and diverts their attention while a burglary occurs.

Within the last week, the Rockford Police Department has been contacted three times by residents reporting similar incidents in the city’s southeast side. As in other incidents, a 30- to 40-year-old Hispanic male has knocked at the door of elderly residents inquiring about a home for sale in the neighborhood or that they purchased a home in the neighborhood. The suspect asks the victim if they can enter their home or to come outside their home so something can be pointed out to them. While the elderly person is being distracted, another subject has attempted to enter the rear of the residence.

During the recent cases, the suspects have arrived in a light green or light blue, late ’90s to early 2000’s minivan with temporary license plates.

In most of the cases, hand-held radios or cell phones have been used by the suspects to communicate with each other, speaking in a foreign language.

Residents should be aware and continue not to allow entry into their residence without official identification. Please notify the police immediately if someone suspicious comes to their residence.

From the March 23-29, 2011, issue