Lincolnshire police warn of ruse burglaries

Lincolnshire police warn residents of burglars who lure homeowners outside and distract them while another person enters the home and steals items.

Two such burglaries have happened in the past week, police say -- one in the area of Buxton Court and the other in Surrey Lane.

Suspects have used a variety of excuses to lure homeowners outside, including broken pipes, landscaping services like tree trimming or fence line questions. Seniors are often the target of such ruse burglaries, police said.

The scammer in one burglary was described as a slender Hispanic man, 5-foot 11-inches; The other was described as a chubby man with a dark complexion, 5-foot 6-inches tall. Both were said to leave in white vehicles -- one described as a late-model SUV and another as a newer, white van.

Police ask residents to be vigilant to any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, as suspects often case an area before committing a crime. Anyone with any information should call Lincolnshire police at (847) 883-9900.