Chicago business owners in the West Town, Gage Park, and Irving Park neighborhoods are on high alert after a series of commercial burglaries have been reported. According to a business alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, unidentified culprits employed a vehicle to forcibly enter and steal gaming equipment from various businesses across the 8th and 17th Districts.
The recent string of thefts began with a burglary on the 2500 Block of W. North Ave in West Town on December 21st, 2024, followed by incidents on the 5800 Block of S. Kedzie Ave in Gage Park and 2900 Block of W. Addison St in Irving Park, both occurring early on January 6th, 2025. Reports describe the offenders as a group of 5-6 individuals, aged 18 to 25, between 5'06" to 6'00" in height, and weighing 120 to 180 pounds.
Business owners are being advised to take precautions to protect their properties. Recommendations include maintaining well-lit perimeters, securing doors and windows, promptly attending to any damages, and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. In the case of an incident, the police urge proprietors not to tamper with the scene and to preserve video surveillance footage when available.
The police are actively encouraging community vigilance and cooperation. "Report suspicious activity immediately," the alert emphasized, and it advises businesses to share information about the crimes with neighbors. If a business becomes a victim of burglary, the key is to avoid touching anything and call the police right away. The alert also mentions, "If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information," ensuring that any valuable eyewitness accounts can be passed on to investigating detectives.
