Residents in New City and Bridgeport are on edge following a series of garage burglaries, with the Chicago Police issuing a community alert for areas within the 9th (Deering) District. The notice advised the public of several incidents where an unidentified individual forced entry into residential garages, either through side doors or by breaching overhead doors, to steal belongings.
These break-ins have occurred at disparate times ranging from the early morning to the broad daylight hours, including incidents on the 500 block of W. 40th Pl. and W. 41st St. on October 24, 2025, between 4 p.m. on October 31 and 1 p.m. on November 1, 2025 on the 3700 block of S. Sangamon, the 1200 block of W. 33rd Pl. on November 12, and lastly the 800 block of W. 37th Pl. on November 14, all these crimes leaving the community searching for answers and heightened safety measures.
The suspect in question is described as a black male, estimated to be between 20 to 30 years old, with a height of about 5'5" to 5'8", and weighing around 150-170 pounds. In different occurrences, he was seen wearing a blue surgical mask, a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants and gym shoes, or alternately a blue jacket or a black sweatshirt with a large white cross and blue sweatpants paired with white gym shoes. The Chicago Police have also identified that the suspect may be using a dark-colored mid-sized Mercedes-Benz SUV or crossover in connection with the burglaries.
To discourage further incidents, homeowners are being urged to keep their property well lit, ensure doors and windows are securely locked, and to remain vigilant about the state of their garage when absent—not forgetting to secure the contents within, such as locking vehicles even inside the garage, the police also recommend that residents promptly repair any security weaknesses like broken windows, doors, or locks, and be quick to report any doubtful activity without delay.
In addition to preventative tips, the Chicago Police advise that residents should record serial numbers of valuable items and, if available, save video surveillance footage. For individuals who might have witnessed the crime or been victims themselves, they are reminded not to disturb the crime scene and to contact the police immediately. Further updates and measures will be communicated as the situation develops.
