Elmhurst Police Warn Locals Of Ruse Scams After Resident Finds Intruder In Their Home

Elmhurst police are investigating a ruse-style “gypsy” scam that took place in the 200 block of South Poplar Avenue last week.

According to a release sent out by the department, a resident’s caretaker noticed an intruder in the resident’s home at 2:09 p.m. Feb 24. When she shouted at the man, she said, he ran out of the house and drove away in a car. She described the suspect as a white or Hispanic male in his 30’s with short black hair and dark clothing. She approximated he stood around 6 foot tall.

While the man was inside of the resident’s home, the resident was reportedly being distracted by an accomplice in the scheme — a 5-foot-7 Hispanic man weighing around 200 pounds — who had knocked on the resident’s door and engaged them in a conversation about possible yard work.

While the resident was distracted, the second suspect snuck into the home to look for valuables.

Police said this type of scam is known as a “gypsy scam” — “a residential burglary where a subject engages the homeowner in a conversation that the homeowner needs home repair work and, as the homeowner steps outside with the subject, another enters the residence looking for valuables,” according to the police's release.

Any suspicious incidents like these should be immediately reported to police. Anyone with information about the above case is encouraged to call the Elmhurst Police Department at 630-530-3050.

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