Chicago business owners in the Wentworth area are on high alert after a recent wave of brazen burglaries, according to a business alert issued by the Chicago Police Department (CPD). It has been reported that burglars have been cutting holes in the roofs of restaurants after they close for the night, pilfering cash and valuables before making their escape unnoticed until the next morning.
The CPD has specifically pinpointed incidences on the 5400 block of south Wentworth Ave., with break-ins occurring between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 9:50 a.m., and running through February 13 to February 14, as per department reports. With these incidents happening so close in proximity, both by location and time, it raises concern amongst the neighboring establishments. The community calls for heightened vigilance.
Law enforcement is offering tips for businesses to bolster their defenses: from maintaining a well-lit perimeter to reporting any suspicious activity immediately; from keeping entry points like doors and windows not merely closed but secured, to repairing any damage without delay. The police also advised that if video surveillance captured any relevant footage, a copy should be made available to detectives working on the case.
Chicago Police have urged those impacted, "If you are a victim do not touch anything, call police immediately," stressing the importance of preserving the crime scene for evidence collection. They also recommend business owners to request contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the nefarious deeds, as they could have valuable information that could aid in the investigations and ideally in halting this string of burglaries terrorizing the local business community.
