Two home invasions in one week may be targeted, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning residents after two home invasions happened within a week in Sauganash Park and Hollywood Park in Chicago.

Police say two to three armed men with ski masks forced their way into a home in the 6300 block of North Lowell in Sauganash Park in what may be a targeted crime.

Police believe the same men struck days earlier, two miles southeast in the 5800 block of Jersey in the Hollywood Park neighborhood. In one incident, the masked men discharged a hand gun, in the other incident, the offenders told the residents of the home they were police who were looking for someone.

Residents on Jersey Avenue say the home invasion doesn't come as a surprise.

"This area has had an increase of crime," said Lori Wing, a resident of Hollywood Park. "So we're much more alert here than the old days, when it was peaceful and when we didn't worry."

Lori Wing has lived on this block for decades. She says the days of leaving doors unlocked and windows open are long gone. While crime is rarer in Sauganash Park , residents say this week's home invasion is a reality check.

Police say that if neighbors have an information about both these crimes, to call police at the 17th district.