Chicago's plumbing and electrical businesses have been hit by a wave of criminal activity, with reports indicating a series of commercial burglaries, armed robberies, theft from automobiles, and property damage in multiple districts. According to a Business Alert issued by Chicago Police, the incidents, affecting the 11th, 17th, 18th, 19th & 25th Districts, saw perpetrators forcefully entering businesses and work vehicles, breaking through doors and windows.
CCTV footage of these crimes has been made available, giving a glimpse into the audacious methods of the criminals who have been described as one to three African American males dressed in dark clothing. The businesses were targeted at various times and locations, including the 4300 block of N. Lincoln, the 1100 block of W. Webster, and the 3900 block of N. Central, among others, with incidents recorded as early as January 18th and as recent as March 9th.
Authorities are urging business owners to enhance security measures by keeping their properties well-lit and reporting any suspicious activities immediately. They also recommend preserving any video surveillance footage, which could be critical in aiding police investigations. For those affected by the string of burglaries, the directive is clear: do not tamper with the crime scene and call the police right away.
The full list of incident times and locations can be accessed on the official Chicago Police Department website, where the alert has been published, this document serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing local businesses in ensuring the safety of their assets amidst an uptick in criminal activities, with theft from auto & criminal damage also causing significant concern.
