Residents and business owners in the Near West Side neighborhood are being cautioned after a series of commercial burglaries, according to the Chicago Police Department. Thieves using tools such as battery-operated angle grinders have been cutting locks of storage containers before making off with items like air conditioners, blowers, and gas cans.
The incidents occurred on the 1300 block of S. Paulina, with the first burglary reported on September 12, 2025, at 4:20 a.m., and the second just over a week later on September 20, 2025, at 1:50 a.m. Law enforcement has described the suspects: three unknown males, though no further details have been released at this time. The suspects are believed to be using a rental moving truck or a silver Chevy Equinox SUV to flee the scene after the robberies.
In a move to prevent further incidents, the police have issued safety recommendations for local businesses. They advise keeping the perimeter of properties well-lit and maintaining secure doors and windows. In the event of any suspicious activity, they urge immediate reporting. The police also recommend that businesses with surveillance systems save incident footage for detective use. The advisory released on the Chicago Police Department's website states, "If you are a victim, do not touch anything. Call police immediately."
This recent string of burglaries has prompted a heightened level of vigilance amongst community business owners. Some local businesses have come together to inform one another and keep an eye out for the described suspects and vehicles. Anyone with information or who might witness such activities is encouraged to come forward and, if available, provide detective teams with any pertinent video evidence that could aid in the investigation into these crimes. Furthermore, for those who happen to approach a witness, police suggest asking for their contact information.
