Police are seeking to identify the occupants of this dark minivan after they burglarized a home on the southwest side of Lake Forest Monday. | Photo provided by the Lake Forest Police Department

Police are asking for the public’s help after multiple subjects burglarized a Lake Forest home on Monday after they pretended to be the water department.

The Lake Forest Police Department said the incident took place on the southwest side of Lake Forest.

A man, wearing a badge, safety vest and face mask, knocked on the front door of a home, police said.

The homeowner answered the door and met the man, described as being heavy set with dark skin.

Police said the man presented an identification card with “Independent Contractor” printed on it and claimed he was from the water department.

The man told the homeowner there was water contamination in the area and he needed to perform testing inside of the home.

During the conversation, the man used a walkie-talkie to signal other individuals who then entered the home through a side entrance.

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Police are seeking to identify the occupants of this dark minivan after they burglarized a home on the southwest side of Lake Forest Monday. | Photo provided by the Lake Forest Police Department

Police said that the other individuals were likely men.

The individuals went to the upstairs bedroom and stole jewelry and other valuables from a safe.

All of the men then left the area in a dark minivan, which was captured on a Ring camera.

The practice is known as a ruse burglary and it involves deception and distraction.

In ruse burglaries, the suspects will usually impersonate a utility or service company in order to gain access to a home.

Elderly homeowners are the most vulnerable to ruse burglaries.

The Lake Forest Police Department reminds the public to call the police whenever they observe suspicious activity or if a homeowner has any doubt about someone entering their property.