Residents and business owners in the Grand Crossing and South Shore neighborhoods are on high alert as a series of burglaries target local businesses. According to the Chicago Police Department, there have been multiple reports of break-ins where perpetrators smashed the glass front doors of shops using rocks or bricks, then forced entry to steal property.
The burglaries occurred in the dark, early morning hours with three specific incidents listed: the 2000 block of E. 71st St. on March 13, the 7100 block of S. Jeffery Blvd. last Monday, and the 7300 block of S. Stony Island on Sunday. While descriptions of the suspects in these crimes are still vague, with one being described as wearing a black hat, black ski mask, navy blue jacket with reflective stripes, black pants, and black boots, the police reported difficulty in identifying the culprits, calling for community vigilance and immediate reporting of any suspicious behavior.
The police have advised property owners to maintain awareness of their surroundings, to report any suspicious activities immediately, and if confronted, to stay calm and take note of any distinctive features of the assailant which could include scars, limps, acne, teeth, and so forth. "If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for detectives," a police statement urged.
Community members are also encouraged, in the event they witness an incident, to obtain contact information from others who may have witnessed the event but are reminded not to pursue any suspect, instead they should dial 9-1-1, provide as many details as possible to the authorities, and remain on-site if it is safe to do so.
