Burglar Entered Hinsdale Home Through Back Basement Door

Hinsdale police were called at about 11:15 p.m. Oct. 10 to a home in the 5800 block of Giddings where a burglary had taken place.

Police believe the burglary happened between 9 a.m. Oct. 9 and 11 p.m. Oct. 10, when an intruder entered the home through the back basement door.

Electronics, jewelry, sunglasses, and silver dollar coins were reported stolen from the home.

Anyone in the area who might have video surveillance footage from that time should contact the Investigations Division at 630-789-7070.

If you observe behavior that is unusual or suspicious, contact the Hinsdale Police Department by calling 911. Police ask people to report an accurate description of clothing, height, gender and race. If you observe a vehicle, note the color, make, style, and/or license plate.

The Hinsdale Police Department has provided the following burglary crime prevention tips at home.

• ARM security alarms if they are present within the household. Residents within the community who have security systems sometimes fail to arm them due to the inconvenience or inexperience in their use. Arming the security system increases the likelihood of not only prevention, but also the opportunity of apprehension of the burglar. Even if you’re leaving for a short period of time, arm your system if you have it.
• Make sure your burglar and fire alarms are in working condition. Test them with the alarm company and make sure your alarm company has an updated call list.
• Consider the installation of a video surveillance system. Video systems marketed today provide for the ability for users to monitor their homes while away from a smartphone, or even receive text and email alerts where an intruder may be present on the property. Further, video surveillance system increase the opportunity for investigators to develop investigative leads on a suspect.
• The No. 1 prevention tip is to make your house look “lived in” when you’re away. Never let items pile up in the mailbox or on the porch. It sends the message that no one is home or watching the residence.
• Arrange with a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers, and garbage cans. They live in your neighborhood and know what looks suspicious in the area.
• Make arrangements with trusted friends, neighbors or family to shovel the driveway and maintain the property.
• Set automatic timers for interior and exterior lights, radio and TV’s. Turn the ringer down on the phone. A ringing phone alerts others that no one is home.
• Leave your window shades in a “normal” position, or have your “house-watcher” move the window shade positioning throughout your vacation or your time away from your home. Do not close the blinds.
• Lock your valuables in a safe deposit box or fire safe. Document all valuables via videotape and place this and important serial numbers in a safe deposit box as well.
• Notify the police department and request a “vacation watch” if you will be away from your home for an extended period of time.
• Don’t leave spare keys to the home or vehicle hidden in areas outside or near the home.
• • Lock all ladders and other supplies in a shed or garage and make sure your garage (attached or detached) is secured at all times.
• Lock your car doors. Garage door openers in unlocked cars are an instant gateway into your residence regardless of the precautions you take to safeguard the home. You should consider even taking your garage door openers out of your vehicles. Remove important papers and documents with personal information on them. Have vehicles moved on occasion, so as to not be parked in one spot all the time.
• Secure your windows by “pinning” them and place a security bar in the track of your sliding glass doors.
• Leave emergency contact information with the police or a trusted neighbor.
• If you see a suspicious person or vehicle, don’t hesitate to notify the police by calling 911.

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