Chicago businesses are on high alert after a series of bold commercial burglaries have struck the Loop and Little Italy neighborhoods, as well as an incident in Evergreen Park. The Chicago Police Department is spreading the word with hopes to curtail any further thefts and to enlist the community's help in catching the perpetrators.
According to a business alert issued by the CPD, the heists took place in the early hours of the morning on August 6th at a business on the 1300 block of W. Taylor St and then again on August 7th on the 200 block of W. Van Buren St. Each time, offenders smashed the front windows to gain access and quickly to make off with valuables including a mobile ATM and cash register that contained currency. A third incident involving a similar modus operandi took place in Evergreen Park, pointing to a potential series of connected crimes.
The assailants have been described as four African American males, all in their late teens or early twenties, donned in black hooded sweatshirts, dark jeans, and ski masks to hide their identities. At the crime scenes, they were seen fleeing in a stolen 2018 white Kia Sorrento. The CPD has circulated images of the suspects and the vehicle to alert residents and businesses in the area.
For business owners and residents of the affected districts, the CPD has advised them to not only remain vigilant but also to ensure the security of their premises. Suggestions include keeping the perimeter well-lit, immediately repairing any security breaches such as broken windows or locks, and installing video surveillance if not already in place. "Keep doors and windows secured," the CPD urges, and if there is any suspicion of criminal activity, to "report suspicious activity immediately." If a business becomes a victim, it's crucial "to not touch anything; call the police immediately."
