Rash of daytime burglaries reported in western suburbs
DARIEN, Ill. (WLS) -- A rash of burglaries has been reported in the western suburbs of Darien, Downers Grove, Willowbrook, Burr Ridge and Woodridge. In Darien, four homes were broken into on Monday alone.
"In this neighborhood, it's nothing we've experienced in the past. I've lived here for 10 years or so, so it's very much a concern," said Dan Houska, a Darien resident.
Police say the crimes all fit the same pattern: a burglar, or burglars, target a single-family home during the day when people aren't home. They enter the home through a sliding glass door in the back, and take jewelry and other valuables.
"In one instance, the offender left with pillow cases that he had taken from the residence. And he put small things in the pillow cases and made good his escape," said Chief Ernest Brown/Darien Police Dept.
"It's very alarming. I think a lot of people are really upset and trying to get an understanding of what's going on and why," said Eric Gustafson, a Darien resident.
The rash of break-ins began in mid-September, but stopped for about a month after police alerted residents.
But then on Monday, four homes were hit. There were a total of nine break-ins in Darien in a three-mile radius in the past two months.
"It's very concerning. It just goes to show that you have to keep track with all your neighbors and keep in touch as to what's going on in the community," said Arthur Donner, a Darien resident.
"Most of us in this neighborhood have kids, and what if one of our kids was home by themselves or something like that," Houska said.
Police say most of the break-ins have occurred on a Monday, and many of the homes are corner houses.
"Everybody is on high alert, all boots on the ground. We're really beating the bushes to find out who this is and put handcuffs on him," Chief Brown said.
Police say there have been similar break-ins in Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Willowbrook, and Woodridge. In some cases, the criminals have been scared off by a dog or alarm system.
