Huntley Police Step Up Patrols in Sun City After Burglaries

A series of home burglaries in Sun City is prompting the Huntley Police Department to triple patrols and activate its newly formed surveillance team, authorities said.

The burglaries, some classified as attempted burglaries, began in January 2011 and continued through the summer and winter, Deputy Chief Todd Fulton said. A total of 11 have been reported, he said.

Three residential burglaries were reported in February alone — a significant increase compared to other months, police said.

Most of the burglaries involved someone using a pry tool to enter the front door of homes or using a sliding door, police said. In each burglary, homes were ransacked but large items like television sets were left behind, police said. Jewelry and other items were taken, police said.

Huntley police gave a group of Sun City residents information about the burglaries during an impromptu meeting Thursday with Chief John Perkins at the police department. The meeting served as a way to clear up misinformation and rumors circulating in the community, Fulton said.

Sun City residents wanted to know what was being done and some expressed concern about the incidents, he said.

“We assured individuals this does remain detectives’ priority,” Fulton said. “We are aggressively and very actively working the cases.”

Detectives are working with the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Lab to analyze evidence taken from the crime scenes, police said.

Huntley police also are reaching out to other law enforcement agencies, in the county and state, to get information out about the burglaries and develop leads, Fulton said.

The cases have been a priority since Day 1, he said.

While the investigation continues, police want Sun City residents to be alert and take safety precautions. Huntley police advise residents to make their homes safer by leaving lights and television sets on and advised them do not give out spare keys to anyone. Additionally, residents should invest in a home security system or door alarms.

Sun City residents are mobilizing and organizing more Neighborhood Watch groups. There are three established groups and five or six in various stages of planning, Fulton said.