Police say three suspects committed a ruse burglary in Highland Park Monday afternoon and tried to stop the residents from calling 911 after being caught.
The Highland Park Police Department responded around 3:20 p.m. Monday to the 2300 block of Shady Lane for a report of a ruse burglary.
Ruse burglaries are property crimes where one or multiple suspects work together to distract homeowners and gain access to their homes to steal cash, jewelry, electronics or other valuables.
The first of three offenders told the resident that there was an issue with their water, the Highland Park Police Department said.
The first offender was reportedly wearing a traffic or construction-style vest with a fraudulent Lake County nametag on it.
A second offender approached and attempted to assist the first offender in distracting the resident.
Meanwhile, a third offender entered the home and proceeded to the second-floor bedrooms.
Another resident observed the third offender and shouted to call the police.
The three offenders attempted to prevent the residents from calling 911 and fled the scene in a silver SUV, the police department said.
Authorities did not provide further information on whether the suspects used force or threatened the residents.
There were no reported injuries and it is unknown if anything was taken from the residence.
The first offender was described as a male black, heavyset, wearing a blue shirt and traffic or construction vest.
The second offender was described only as a heavyset male Hispanic, while the third offender was described as a male black, tall, medium build, wearing a white shirt and traffic or construction vest.
The getaway vehicle was a silver or gray four-door SUV with a green rear license plate.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information or video surveillance footage is asked to call the Highland Park Police Department at 847-432-7730.