Chicago businesses across the 8th and 9th districts have seen a spike in burglary incidents throughout June and early July, according to a recent business alert issued by the Chicago Police. Businesses are being targeted at various hours, with offenders smashing glass doors to gain entry and primarily stealing cash from registers. The alert, outlining the recent wave of burglaries, pinpoints multiple locations from West 63rd Street to South Kedzie Avenue that have been hit.
The series of burglaries began on June 26th, with locations such as the 7000 Block of West 63rd Street and the 5400 Block of South Mulligan Avenue among the first reported. An apparent pattern suggests that the incidents have continued unabated with businesses on West 26th Street, South Halsted Avenue, and multiple sites along South Kedzie Avenue also becoming targets. Businesses in these areas reported break-ins at times ranging from the early hours of the morning to late at night. Among a list of affected locations, two on the 3700 Block of West 79th Street were hit in close succession.
The suspects in these cases have been described as one to four male blacks, adorned in dark clothing and wearing black, and in at least one instance, a red face mask. Business owners in the community are urged to remain vigilant, improve lighting around their properties, secure all potential entries, and ensure that any surveillance footage is preserved and handed over to law enforcement promptly.
The Chicago Police Department's advice for businesses includes reporting any suspicious activity and immediately addressing any security breaches, such as broken windows or locks. "If you are a victim do not touch anything, call the police immediately" is the official recommendation for businesses that have been burglarized. Store owners and employees are also encouraged to engage witnesses for their contact information—potentially aiding detectives in their investigation into these crimes.
