River Forest police issued an email crime alert to residents on Tuesday, warning of a rash of residential burglaries since the middle of May.
According to Police Chief Gregory Weiss, there have been six residential burglaries reported in the village since mid-May. The email was prompted, according to Weiss, by “a group of burglaries being reported on June 15 and 16.”
Police say there’s a pattern to some of the incidents. Four burglaries have taken place in the 500 and 600 blocks of Keystone Avenue. A suspect has been identified in at least one of those incidents, Weiss said, and police are actively seeking that person’s arrest.
Separately, a burglaries have occurred in the 1300 block of Ashland Avenue and the 1100 block of Harlem Avenue.
In several of the burglaries, entry has been gained through unlocked doors, said police. Items taken from the homes have included electronics, purses and “other items of value.”
Weiss said residents should take care to lock their doors at night and set house alarms, if available.
“Turn on exterior lights. Keep a phone nearby so you can call the police immediately,” said Weiss. Record serial numbers or take photographs of high-value items. Mark items with an identifier that only you can identify if it is recovered.”
Weiss said River Forest police have increased overnight patrols, including officers in unmarked vehicles.
