Chicago's Northwest Side businesses were hit by a series of smash-and-grabs early Wednesday morning, according to local police. Around 4 a.m., in the 4700-block of W Foster Avenue, multiple restaurants including Smashburger, Teriyaki Madness, Jimmy Johns, Chipotle, and Tropical Smoothie Café suffered break-ins. Thieves smashed through front doors and windows, targeting cash registers in what appears to be a coordinated string of burglaries.
Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News Chicago captured the offenders breaking into Tropical Smoothie Café. The video shows a person making away with an item believed to be a cash register, while the suspects reportedly fled the scene in a red SUV. Despite the clear images caught on camera, no suspects have been identified or apprehended thus far, leaving the businesses to reckon with the aftermath amidst an ongoing investigation.
An employee recounted to ABC7 Chicago that the crimes occurred at around 4 a.m., specifically noting the loss of their cash register. The information neatly coincides with the reports from the Chicago Police Department, confirming that neighborhood businesses were specifically targeted for their cash holdings.
No injuries have been reported in the string of burglaries.
