Burglars claiming to be city employees are targeting elderly residents in several Southwest Side neighborhoods, Chicago police warn.
At least 15 homes have been robbed since Aug. 5 in the Garfield Ridge, Brighton Park, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Scottsdale and Armour Square neighborhoods, authorities say.
The most recent robbery happened Saturday afternoon in Garfield Ridge.
Police say at least six people are involved. The crew approaches a home and creates a ruse to get the elderly victim outside, including claiming they’re employees with the Chicago Water Department or construction workers on a nearby site. Or they wait for the resident to leave their home before breaking in.
They have also robbed homes when the resident isn’t there.
The burglars communicate over handheld radios. The cars they use during the robberies include a white van without license plates, a gray 2023 Chevrolet Colorado without license plates, black Chevrolet Traverse with custom white rims or a white pickup truck.
Anyone with information may contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #P25-1-092B.
Here are the burglaries that have been reported:
· 4700 block of South Lawler Avenue on Aug. 5, 2025, at 1:22 p.m. (Garfield Ridge)
· 3600 block of South Maplewood Avenue on Aug. 5, 2025, at 4:38 p.m. (Brighton Park)
· 4200 block of South California Avenue on Aug. 8, 2025, at 3:10 p.m. (Brighton Park)
· 2800 block of South Pitney Court on Aug. 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. (Bridgeport)
· 5800 block of South Nottingham Avenue on Aug. 10, 2025, between 12:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. (Garfield Ridge)
· 3300 block of South Seeley Avenue on Aug. 10, 2025, at 1:43 p.m. (McKinley Park)
· 8500 block of South Kolin Avenue on Aug. 11, 2025, at 12:40 p.m. (Scottsdale)
· 2600 block of South Shields Avenue on Aug. 14, 2025, at 10 p.m. (Armour Square)
· 2800 block of South Wallace Street on Aug. 18, 2025, at 2:05 p.m. (Bridgeport)
· 3400 block of South Wallace Street on Aug. 18, 2025, at 6:05 p.m. (Bridgeport)
· 5400 block of South Natoma Avenue on Aug. 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. (Garfield Ridge)
· 1700 block of West 34th Street on Aug. 19, 2025, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. (McKinley Park)
· 5100 block of South Lockwood Avenue on Aug. 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. (Garfield Ridge)
· 3600 block of South Emerald Avenue on Aug. 21, 2025, between 7 a.m. and 9:20 p.m. (Bridgeport)
· 8600 block of South Keating Avenue on Aug. 23, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. (Scottsdale)
· 5000 block of South Kilpatrick Avenue on Aug. 23, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. (Garfield Ridge)