Chicago's local businesses are grappling with a series of forceful break-ins as thieves target the Near North and Town Hall areas, with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) issuing a business alert following a string of commercial burglaries in the 18th and 19th Districts. The brazen burglars have been using a large rock to shatter front glass doors under the cloak of darkness, flipping cash registers, and snatching whatever cash they can get their hands on.
According to the CPD, incidents have occurred in Beats 1811, 1812, 1821, and 1932 with four reported burglaries in November alone; the first of these occurred on the 400 block of West North Ave in the morning of November 5, and subsequent break-ins happened again on the 100 and 300 block of West North Ave in the morning hours of November 10 and the evening of November 14, respectively, and another on the morning of November 18 in the same 300 block.
Witnesses have described seeing 2 to 4 individuals dressed in dark clothing near the scenes of these crimes, but no further details on the culprits have been disclosed. As business owners reel from these attacks, the CPD urges the community to stay vigilant by locking their establishments, securing their windows, promptly repairing any points of forced entry, and utilizing video surveillance if they have it.
The Chicago Police Department has given a detailed list of preventive measures for businesses that include keeping doors locked and windows secure, immediately repairing broken windows, doors, or locks, and further suggesting that if video surveillance is available, save and make a copy of the incident for investigating detectives; they've emphasized the importance of not disturbing crime scenes and to instead alert the authorities at the onset of such unfortunate events. They have also been advised to keep a vigilant eye out for suspicious vehicles and to contact the police right away with a detailed description should they witness such activities.
