Small businesses in Chicago's 3rd District are on edge after a series of brazen burglaries swept through the Grand Crossing area this December. According to a Chicago Police Department business alert, unnamed thieves have been forcefully entering local businesses by prying doors and clipping locks, swiftly escaping with stolen goods under the cloak of darkness.
The string of burglaries took place with an unsettling pattern, and it was reported that the incidents took place in the 500 block of E. 61st St. between December 18-19, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and at the 0-100 block and the 400 block of E. 71st St. on December 19 around the same early morning hour of 6:10 a.m.
No clear description of the offenders is available at this time, and authorities have not reported any vehicles associated with the crimes. Business owners in the affected areas are encouraged to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their establishments.
To deter future break-ins, the police advise maintaining well-lit property perimeters and securing all potential entry points, owners should not only report any suspicious activities or people loitering around their properties but also ensure that any damage to windows doors, or locks be attended to with immediacy; moreover, for those with surveillance systems, store the footage securely in case it is needed by the police, and if an unfortunate incident occurs, owners are admonished to avoid contaminating the crime scene and call the authorities post-haste.
