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January 29, 2010

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL The Commercial-News Fri Jan 29, 2010, 04:00 AM CST

DANVILLE — City and county detectives want residents to be alert after a string of fraud reports.

Con men posing as city employees have been reported in three incidents — two in Danville and one just outside the city in the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department’s jurisdiction — in recent weeks. The frauds were reported in the south, east and west sides of Danville.

Danville police Deputy Director Doug Miller said in each case, elderly residents were approached by two men saying they were trimming trees for the city of Danville.

The men are described as in their 30s or 40s and speaking with an accent. They are driving a newer-looking, grey full-sized van.

In the county report, sheriff’s department chief investigator Rod Kaag said a con man was allowed to enter the home. He led the elderly resident to the back of the home, speaking about the trees. During that time, a second man reportedly entered the home.

Kaag said it was discovered later a small safe had been stolen from the home.

In one case, one of the men was asked for identification. Miller said he produced something that said City of Chicago on it. The man, who was joined by a second individual, wanted to go around to the back of the home and asked about other homes in the area.

Miller said the resident refused the men and they left. In the second incident, the man was allowed to enter the home. The resident, who didn’t have any trees, said the man then said he was checking for frozen pipes and demanded payment after conducting what he termed an inspection.

Miller said the city has no one going around to neighborhoods trimming trees.

According to Kaag, any resident suspicious of a person should never let them in their home. Instead, ask for identification. If the resident still is not satisfied, they should call 911 and ask for an officer.

“If someone is legit, they will be willing to work with you,” Kaag said.

Anyone with information about the three cases is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 446-TIPS or call Danville police at 431-2250.

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