CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning to some Southwest Side residents about scammers posing as handymen and city employees.
According to Chicago police, officers are investigating four incidents where an individual posed as a handyman or as an employee with the Department of Water, before stealing from the victim.
Officers say during some of the incidents, an individual approached a victim and inquired about home improvement tasks. After pretending to complete the task, they demanded money from the victim.
During other incidents, officers say an individual posing as an employee with the Department of Water entered a victim’s home to check their pipes but instead stole property from the victim while inside.
According to police, all four incidents unfolded before 4 p.m. during a weeklong period between Monday, April 8, and Monday, April 15.
Chicago police provided the following list of times and locations where the incident occurred:
- Around 3 p.m. on Monday, April 8, in the 3800 block of West 61st Street in West Lawn. southwest side
- Around 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, in the 3300 Block of South Leavitt Street in Mckinley Park. southwest side
- Around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, in the 5600 Block of South Keeler Avenue in West Elsdon. southwest side
- Around 2:33 p.m. on Monday, April 15, in the 5400 Block of South Kedvale Avenue in West Elsdon. southwest side
Officers say they believe three people may be involved in the scams.
Police say the first person is believed to be a a man between 40 and 50 years of age, with a tattoo on his face and neck, who was spotted wearing a dark bluecap, and black sunglasses.
The second person involved is believed to be a man who was spotted wearing a white New York Baseball cap with blue jeans.
Officers say they believe the third person involved in the string of scams is a woman between 40 and 50 years of age who was spotted wearing a peach-colored long-sleeve shirt.
What can residents do?
Police advise residents to keep the perimeter of their property well-lit and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Police say residents should keep their doors and windows secured and advise homeowners to quickly repair any broken windows, doors, or locks.
Officers say anyone who falls victim to a burglary should not touch anything and call police as soon as possible. If surveillance video of the burglary is available, residents should make a copy of it for authorities.
Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to contact CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.
