Schaumburg police are warning residents of a burglary scheme that usually targets seniors in the village.

On Sept. 8, a man approached an elderly woman at her home near Wise and Roselle roads, claiming to be installing a fence for the neighbor, police said.

The man asked the resident to accompany him to the backyard. While the resident was distracted, another person or people came into the home and stole jewelry, according to police.

After asking the resident to wait in the backyard while he brought back construction plans, the man never returned, police said.

Police describe the man as white, 50 to 55 years old with brown eyes and short black hair with some gray. He is 5 feet 8 or 9 inches tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds with medium build and complexion. He was driving a newer, four-door, silver foreign-made car, possibly a Nissan or Hyundai, police said.

It isn’t the first time the scam, often called a “gypsy burglary,” has been reported to Schaumburg police. In other incidents, people claim to be utility employees, contractors, repair workers or neighbors wanting to see property lines in the back yard, among other scenarios, police said.

Police ask residents to request photo identification or call utility companies to verify a worker is supposed to visit their home. Police also warn elderly residents not to allow anyone into their home.

Anyone with information about Thursday’s burglary or other incidents can call 847-348-7332.

kthayer@tribune.com