NAPERVILLE, IL – Three Cook County men have been charged with ruse residential burglary in Naperville after they allegedly stole $6,000 worth of jewelry from an elderly couple’s home during a fake water inspection.
Lawrence Miller, Sam Mason, and Christopher Nicholas were taken into custody at a Schaumburg pawn shop where they were attempting to sell the stolen items of jewelry.
According to the Naperville Police Department, Miller allegedly approached the couple in their seventies, wearing a yellow safety vest, and told them he was there to resolve the issue with their water. He then convinced the residents to let him into the house to inspect the water, distracting them while his accomplices entered the house and stole the jewelry. Miller spoke to his accomplices on a two-way radio while he kept the victim outside.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin warned homeowners to be on alert for this type of ruse as the weather gets nicer, cautioning against letting anyone claiming to be a utility worker or service provider into their homes without prior notification.
The Naperville Police Department and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force worked together to identify and apprehend the three defendants.
The three men have been charged with one count of residential burglary, and Miller and Nicholas are also charged with misdemeanor attempt possession of burglary tools. Their next court appearances are scheduled for May 9th and 11th, 2023.
