Police Warn Of Scam; Serial Killer Not On Loose In Area: Cops

MCHENRY, IL — Police are alerting the public to a scam that has been circulating on social media, which warns the public about a serial killer that's on the loose.

The post stated that a serial killer named Robert Thibodeau, 52, was knocking on people's doors, claiming he was homeless and needed help, police said. The post falsely claimed that he then attacked residents after gaining their trust, including a 37-year-old single mother who was left struggling for her life.

He also stole a vehicle from an 83-year-old woman after offering to take her groceries to her car, the post read.

"He's ruthless and very dangerous," according to the scam alert post, which some residents may have seen on social media.

This past week, the McHenry Police Department alerted the public to the scam, which had been shared numerous times throughout the state and country.

"We are kindly asking the public to stop and think before sharing information that is false. There is no serial killer on the loose in McHenry and there is no threat to the area," police said Monday.

Police also provided some tips for residents to help them gauge the validity of a social media post:

• Posts that have hashtags like "#McHenry" or '#Illinois," with the comments turned off, are usually FALSE information
• Residents should check the sources on posts that have information changed and re-shared all over and deal with abused animals, missing and found children and missing and found elderly people. Typically, police and official government sources distribute information regarding crimes that will affect the public.