The Chicago Police Department has issued a warning to businesses in the 014th and 019th Districts due to a series of commercial burglaries targeting restaurants and taverns. These crimes have occurred in the overnight hours, with the culprits employing brute force to gain entry, sometimes using a hammer to pry or kick doors in. Once inside, they have been reported to quickly take whatever cash is available, and in some incidents, they've even made off with safes and bottles of alcohol.
The burglaries were reported at four different locations, beginning on Halsted Street in the early hours of January 31st and trailing through to a similar scenario on the same street over a week later. Chicago Police provided a detailed timeframe and locations for these incidents, urging local establishments to take heightened security measures. To add to this, the suspects have been described as one male and one female, both in their 20s or early 30s and were noticed to be wearing gloves and facemasks during the break-ins.
Business owners and employees are being encouraged to "be aware of this crime and alert nearby businesses," as stated in the Chicago Police Department's official notification. Additional advice includes keeping the property well-lit, ensuring surveillance cameras are operational, and not interfering with the crime scene but instead immediately call 911 with a detailed description of any suspected offenders.
