Masked crews ripping ATMs out of neighborhood shops have put Chicago’s Northwest Side on edge, prompting a police alert and a warning to business owners to stay sharp. In a string of recent burglaries, thieves have stormed into local stores, both during business hours and overnight, and either hauled away entire cash machines or torn into them on the spot. Police say at least one of the incidents involved a handgun, and surveillance video shows suspects working quickly and slipping away before officers arrive.
Police link four burglaries across Belmont Gardens and Avondale
Chicago police have formally tied four burglaries into a single pattern on the Northwest Side, according to CBS Chicago. The cases include incidents on Dec. 30 and Jan. 3, with two of those happening within minutes of each other, along with another on Jan. 25. The targeted businesses sit in Belmont Gardens, Avondale, and Belmont Central.
Police describe the suspects as men between 18 and 45 years old, dressed almost like a uniform in black hooded sweatshirts, black sweatpants, and black ski masks. Anyone who recognizes that look, or who has any information about the burglaries, is urged to call Grand Central Area detectives at 312-746-7394 or file an anonymous tip through CPDTIP.com using reference number P26-5-002A.
Surveillance shows masked crews and a blue SUV
Security video and police accounts show the burglars rolling up in a late-model blue Acura SUV, according to NBC Chicago. In some hits, there were as many as seven people involved, with crews targeting both open businesses and shuttered storefronts.
At least one of the thefts involved a suspect armed with a handgun, raising the stakes for workers and customers who might be nearby. Police are advising business owners to beef up exterior lighting, make sure cameras and recording systems actually work, and call in any suspicious activity before another crew tries its luck.
Video shows the brazen method and detectives expandthe probe
In a related case, a surveillance clip shows just how bold the operation can get: a crew hooks a chain from an ATM to an SUV, then guns the engine and rips the machine straight through a storefront, according to CWBChicago. That outlet reports the same smash-and-grab tactic has surfaced in multiple break-ins this month.
Detectives have now linked the pattern to a broader series of burglaries and are canvassing affected neighborhoods for more witnesses and security footage. Anyone with information can contact the area detectives listed in the police alert or leave an anonymous tip through CPDTIP.com.
