In the quiet pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, a crew of would-be car burglars turned a sleepy Elmhurst block into their own drive-through, testing car doors and slipping into any vehicle left unlocked. Police say four cars were entered, and a white sedan later sped off toward Interstate 290.
Video Shows Suspects Working the Block
Surveillance video from around 4 a.m. near Holly Avenue and May Street shows a masked person walking up to a parked car and yanking on the door handle while several others run in the background, and a white sedan without license plates rolls slowly down the street. Police said about four unlocked cars in the area were ultimately found to have been burglarized, according to Patch.
Officer Spots White Kia Stinger, Driver Bolts
Not long after the break-ins, an Elmhurst community service officer on patrol saw a white Kia Stinger near Holly and May. The driver did not stick around. The car took off, heading east on Interstate 290. Investigators told Patch they believe the vehicle had no plates and matched the description of a car that had been reported stolen in Chicago.
Police Issue Warning, Tie Case to Wider Fears
Elmhurst police used the incident as a fresh reminder to lock car doors and clear out valuables. As reported by ABC7 Chicago, the white sedan was later found abandoned on Chicago's South Side. The station noted the case is adding to regional anxiety after a similar attempt in Morton Grove turned violent on the same morning, when officers say suspects opened fire after being confronted.
How Neighbors Can Help
Police say a resident's security footage was crucial in piecing together the overnight timeline. Investigators are asking anyone with exterior camera footage that shows suspicious people, a white sedan, or any unusual activity in the area to contact detectives. As emphasized by Patch, officers stress that locking vehicles, removing key fobs, and keeping valuables out of sight make it less likely a car will be targeted in these late-night passes.
