Burglars Tear Apart Home of 84-Year-Old Oak Forest Man

Police are seeking your help in apprehending a crew of burglars who ransacked the home of an elderly Oak Forest man.

At about 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30, the 84-year-old man returned home to find a gray GMC van parked behind his residence in the 5200 block of W. 147th St., in unincorporated Bremen Township, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

The van was not easily seen from the street.

When he entered the home, a man who appeared to be Hispanic pushed him onto the stairs leading to the second level. The victim was ordered to stay on the stairs while the man, and several other burglars, rummaged through the home.

The burglars demanded to know where the "drugs and money: were kept. The victim responded that he had no drugs or money in the home, but the men continued to ransack the home.

After the men found a small amount of cash, they took the victim down to the basement barricaded him in and told him not to move.

The man freed himself and went to call 911 but discovered the phone was ripped from the wall, the police said. He then went to a neighbor.

Cook County Sheriff’s Police detectives canvassed the area in an attempt to find potential witnesses. Evidence technicians photographed the crime scene and searched for fingerprints or items left behind by the offenders.

Detectives believe this burglary crew will target others and are asking anyone with information to call 708-865-4896.