Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Police Call For Vigilance After Recent Home Burglaries


residential burglary, investigation, park forest police, pfpd, detectives, Home Burglaries
Park Forest police and detectives investigate a residential burglary in June 2018. (Photo: PFPD)

Appliances stolen, camera accessories taken, lawn equipment bagged

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Park Forest police are asking the public to be vigilant after a spout of recent home burglaries targeted vacant homes. The department alerted the public to the home forays where appliances were lifted.

“Over the past couple weeks, several vacant Park Forest homes have been burglarized of large appliances,” police said on Facebook. “In many of the incidents, a truck pulls into the driveway or onto the front lawn for a brief amount of time. Access to the residence is gained and the appliances (typically the stove, dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator) are loaded onto the truck.”

“While there are plenty examples of ‘dumb criminal’ stories,” police continue, “many are good at their craft or find a way to go unnoticed. These burglars are likely making it appear as if they are supposed to be doing some sort of work at the residence.”

Police implore neighbors to “identify the unoccupied homes in your area and keep an extra watch over them. If you see someone or something suspicious, call us. If you aren’t quite sure if it’s suspicious, call us. Keep in mind that some illegal activity is often over within a couple minutes, so call right away.”

The following are a list of all burglaries reported in Park Forest from June 5 through June 18.

Camera Equipment Stolen

A monopod for a camera and several phone charger cords were reported stolen on June 5 from a vehicle parked in the 400 block of Sherman Street on June 5. The owner was unsure if he had locked the doors of the vehicle the night before. Police were called to the residence at 8:45 AM

Appliances Taken During Home Burglaries

A stainless steel refrigerator, a stainless steel dishwasher, a stainless steel stove, and a stainless steel microwave were reported stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Shabbona Drive on June 9. The owner was rehabbing the residence. The rear door leading from the laundry room into the kitchen was removed from the hinges. The owner suspects this was done to fit the appliances through the door frame. It appeared that entry was made to the residence through the rear door. A neighbor shared with police footage from the front mounted camera of his residence. The video shows a U-Haul truck pulling up to the residence at 11:38 PM the night before, June 8. The driver turned off the headlights of the U-Haul and backed into the end of the driveway. At approximately 12:14 AM, the U-Haul could be seen pulling into the front portion of the driveway, and at 12:22 AM, the U-Haul could be seen leaving the residence. Police are investigating.

Police responded to a report of a burglary in the 100 block of Marquette Street on June 9 at 6:16 PM. A resident reported receiving a call from XFINITY advising him that his security alarm power was not on. He was not home at the time and asked a neighbor to check on the house. The neighbor checked the residence and discovered that the front door was unlocked and all of the appliances were missing. The items reported missing include stainless steel Whirlpool brand appliances: refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave. The security alarm had been destroyed, according to police. The circumstances of this burglary and the burglary reported in the 100 block of Shabbona Drive are very similar, according to police.

In yet another residential burglary report, police responded to the 400 block of Suwannee Street on June 13 after the owner of a vacant house arrived to find the front screen door popped open and the front door open. The doorknob of the front door was broken off, according to police, as was the lockbox. All appliances from inside the home had been stolen: a Samsung refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, microwave, washer, and dryer. The kitchen appliances are all stainless steel in the washer and dryer are front loaders, according to police. Police were able to gather evidence from the scene.

Police were called to investigate another residential burglary in the 100 block of Well Street on June 16 at 8:33 AM. The complainant had been maintaining the property for the owner. There had been a lockbox on a door which was missing and the doors of the home were unlocked, according to police. A refrigerator, stove, and microwave had been taken from the kitchen.

Lawn Equipment Bagged

On June 16 at 12:44 PM police responded to the 400 block of Lakewood Boulevard to investigate a burglary that had just occurred. A woman told police that she was driving down Lakewood Boulevard and observed two male subjects who she believed to be juveniles running out of a garage with two weed Wacker’s and other tools. She told police that one of the subjects was wearing orange shorts. Items reported missing include two B orange and black lack & Decker trimmer/edgers and a red and black Toro ultra blower/vacuum.

We repeat the warning from police:

Identify the unoccupied homes in your area and keep an extra watch over them. If you see someone or something suspicious, call us. If you aren’t quite sure if it’s suspicious, call us. Keep in mind that some illegal activity is often over within a couple minutes, so call right away.


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