Solicitors Mistaken For Home Invaders After Not Obtaining Permit

OAK FOREST, IL — Midlothian police said a group of people who were originally thought to be breaking into a home on Lamon Avenue have been identified as solicitors from Illinois Gas & Electric.

According to police, a resident contacted officers after a man approached their home carrying several bags and rang their doorbell multiple times.

After the resident did not answer, the man and four other people are seen on a home security camera walking away from the resident's driveway. At first, police said the person assumed the group had the wrong address but contacted authorities after learning about Tuesday's home invasion in Oak Lawn.

READ MORE: New Details In Violent Oak Lawn Home Invasion, 4 Sought: Police

Police told Patch there were no solicitation permits granted for the Midlothian area on Tuesday which is why the group was considered "suspicious" until Illinois Gas & Electric Company confirmed the group was working for them.

"Any solicitor in our Village is required to obtain a permit for solicitation and we also do criminal background checks on every solicitor," police said in a written statement. "Please do not let any unknown solicitors into your home unless they have been vetted or you have specifically requested for a vendor to come to your home."

Police are still looking for four people involved in the Oak Lawn home invasion where an elderly woman was threatened at gunpoint.