Police on 24/7 watch after woman attacked, robbed in Oak Lawn home by offenders pretending to sell candy
OAK LAWN, Ill. (CBS) -- Police in Oak Lawn continued their hunt late Wednesday for four home invasion suspects – some of whom were captured on surveillance video.
As CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reported, Oak Lawn police are now throwing all their resources into cracking the case. Police told us they will be stationed in the neighborhood around the clock and will not leave.
Meanwhile neighbors called it all a terrifying situation, though they were glad their surveillance cameras could be of service.
"They're stupid," said neighbor Mary Ann Miller. "All these houses have cameras."
Cameras outside Miller's home captured the suspects in action. More than 24 hours later, Oak Lawn police in undercover cars have the neighborhood on watch 24/7.
Police said one of the attackers – a woman in an orange jacket – rang the doorbell of the 70-year-old woman at her home, on 105th Place near Kenton Avenue, pretending to sell candy around 6 p.m. The woman was alone in her house at the time.
Soon afterward, a man wearing what looked like a white T-shirt over a blue hoodie forced his way into the house at gunpoint – knocking the victim to the ground.
That man held the older woman down at gunpoint, while another man came in and ransacked the house – taking money and the keys to the home.
The suspects fled and met with a fourth person driving a white Kia Optima as a getaway car. They were last seen traveling on 105th Place near Cicero Avenue.
That poor lady does not speak English – her husband does. I used to live in the house across the street, so I watched the boys grow up. They come home and help their dad all the time, cut the grass," Miller said. "You couldn't find nicer people – the sweetest people. And to say they're selling candy?"
In home surveillance video, the woman in the orange jacket is seen carrying a box and wearing a backpack while walking down the sidewalk multiple times.
Minutes later, the man in the blue hoodie follows.
"I just hope everybody's OK." said neighbor Tony Panatera.
Panatera was out walking his dog when he talked with CBS 2, in hopes of showing the criminals he won't stand for violence.
"The more neighbors are out, the less things like that will happen," he said.
Patanera said violence is rare in Oak Lawn, but no community is immune.
"It is desperate times, so I think people come up with ways of doing things," he said, "and some people are evil."
The family at the home where the woman was attacked said they are not ready to speak on camera.
The woman who was attacked suffered minor injuries and was home recovering Wednesday night.
Anyone who can help to identify the suspects is asked to contact the Oak Lawn Police Detective Division at (708) 907-4051. Tips can also be texted to (708) 613-8477 and video can be sent to Oaklawn-Il.gov/camera-share.
