Residents of Austin and Humboldt Park have been targeted in a spate of vehicle-related thefts, with a particular penchant for airbags from late-model Honda Civics, according to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department. The department's notice outlines a series of incidents across the neighborhoods within the 11th and 15th Districts, calling upon citizens to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
The series of thefts, largely occurring overnight, involves perpetrators damaging vehicles to extract airbags, an item with a notable resale value on the black market; one victim even reported seeing a male suspect inside her vehicle during the theft as her car alarm blared. The thefts were reported from January 15 to January 24, 2026, with locations spanning from the 5000 block of W. Ohio to the 4800 block of W. Thomas, encompassing several streets in between these coordinates.
Suspects were identified as 1-2 Black males, one clad in black attire and a black surgical mask; however, details are scant, and police are seeking the public's help in narrowing down the culprits. The Department advises never confronting or chasing down suspects, but instead encourages the use of audible alarms and vigilance in preserving any potential video surveillance footage.
For those encountering theft, the key is to avoid touching anything until police arrive to preserve the crime scene, if you witness a theft in progress, do not engage but instead, "Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible" as detailed in the community alert that asks witnesses to take note of any distinct physical characteristics of the offenders, such as scars or tattoos which could aid in apprehending the subject.
