In recent months, an alarming pattern has emerged in Chicago, with police radios being stolen at an unprecedented rate. According to an internal memo obtained by the ABC7 I-Team, at least seven incidents have taken place in which handheld police radios were among items stolen from the lobbies of district stations. Officers are now being warned to remain alert, as the thefts could pose a significant threat to public safety.
Handheld radios are regarded as essential tools for law enforcement, considered by some to be more important than their firearms. They are critical for maintaining vital communication between officers, summoning emergency support, and ensuring the overall safety of the public. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) recently invested millions of dollars in scrambling and encrypting radio signals to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Bill Kushner, a former CPD Commander and chief of police for Des Plaines, told the ABC7 I-Team about the significance of these devices. "I'd rather go out without a gun than without a radio," he said, emphasizing the potential risks associated with stolen encrypted radios. "A firearm can't be used in every situation. However, a radio can be used to get more help, to summon an ambulance, to summon fire crews for other special needs."
The thefts have been reported across various districts in the city, with CBS Chicago detailing incidents in the 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 17th, and 18th Districts. Out of the six radios stolen, only two have been recovered so far, leaving four devices unaccounted for.
In one particularly bold theft last week, September 6th, a 30-year-old alleged gang associate named Elvis Antunez was arrested after stealing a radio from the 12th District front office. He was chased across multiple streets by officers, placing themselves in danger of being struck by passing traffic. A 23-year-old man from Venezuela named Diomedes Torres-Hidalgo also allegedly attempted to obstruct officers during the pursuit. Both men now face criminal charges, with Antunez charged with theft of government property and Torres-Hidalgo charged with obstructing officers and resisting arrest.
As a response to these thefts, Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward has encouraged police officers to treat their radios with the same level of care as their service weapons. "We don't want them to fall into the wrong hands, and unfortunately, a few of them have," he told CBS Chicago. Officers must remain vigilant and keep their radios in sight at all times, he stressed.
While some of the stolen radios are still missing, the CPD does have methods to neutralize the threat they pose. "We do have the technology available to disable them remotely," said Alderman Hopkins, adding that this can be done if the lost radios' serial numbers are known. The process is not simple, but the ability does exist.
The CPD issued a statement regarding the radio thefts, noting that they are "taking this matter seriously and investigating thoroughly." The department is also committed to maintaining the critical role these devices play in emergency communication and public safety and is prepared to "remotely disable" any lost or stolen radios as necessary, as reported by CBS Chicago.
