La Grange Police Chief Updates Patch on Burglary and Code Red Alert

La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub wants to clear the air of some rumors in the community following the department's Code Red phone alert yesterday of a burglary in La Grange.

The police department issued a Code Red alert yesterday after a burglary at a home on the 400 block of south La Grange Road. At about noon yesterday, three men described to be in their 40s and of mixed ethnicity, gained access to the La Grange home using deceptive means. Stolen were a currently unknown amount of cash and some personal items.

The Code Red alert caused some concern in the community, and a few rumors as well, the police chief said.

Holub said he released the information through the department's Code Red system, which triggers automated phone calls to residents, because he wanted to get the word out quickly.

"About a month ago we posted something [on ruse burglaries] by email blast," Holub said. 

But, after yesterday's burglary, Holub said he worried that the information had not gotten out to enough residents, or to older residents who might not be signed up for the email system. 

On the rumors floating around La Grange, Holub said he wanted to point out that no weapons were involved or that is was a "kick in the doors" type of home invasion. 

"It doesn't make it seem any better," he said, but added he wanted to put some resident's fears to rest.

Holub said that following the recent power outages, there has been an increase in reports at many area police departments about ruse burglaries. In some cases, burglars were presenting themselves as utility workers to gain access to homes.

The police chief said that the department is currently working on a couple of leads in reference to yesterday's robbery. The department is telling residents to be careful and to report anything suspicious to the department.

To sign up for the Code Red alerts, or to get more information about them, visit the Code Red information page on the Village of La Grange website by clicking the link.