Glencoe police warn of daytime home burglaries

GLENCOE, Ill. (WLS) -- Police are asking residents of north suburban Glencoe and surrounding communities to be on alert after a number of homes were broken into.

Glencoe police say there have been seven residential burglaries in the last two months that all follow the same pattern.

An alert was emailed to residents on October 24. Investigators said the burglaries are taking place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in homes that are unoccupied at the time.

Police believe the burglars will target a specific area and wait for people to leave their homes, then go up and ring the doorbell to make sure no one is home before seeking entry, whether forcibly, or through unlocked doors and windows. One of the burglaries happened in the 700-block of Woodridge Lane, down the street from the home where Shaindel Kost babysits.

"Now that I know about it, I will be alert and notice things and look around me," said Kost.

Resident Hillary Rosenfeld says her home was broken into 10 years ago, and says the big dog she had at the time did not deter the burglars.

"I have heard it's homeowners who leave to walk their dogs and they're being staked out, which is scary to me. I like to think I'm walking around a safe neighborhood, with my personal bodyguard," said Rosenfeld.

Investigators say they believe the burglars have been targeting neighboring communities as well and they are working with police in other areas on the case. Winnetka police confirmed they are looking at four residential burglaries that fit the same pattern.

Glencoe police are asking residents to be on the lookout for suspicious people or vehicles in their neighborhood and to report them immediately.