In a predawn sweep across Chicago’s South and West sides, three men driving a white Honda Civic are accused of raiding four work vans, swiping tools and rattling the crews who depend on them. One owner who caught the thieves in the act was met with a gun and an attempted carjacking, but the suspects failed to take his vehicle, according to police.
Four Hits, Four Neighborhoods
Chicago police say the same group struck four times early Monday, moving quickly from Bronzeville to the Northwest Side. The reported timeline reads like a grim overnight route:
- 2:34 a.m. on the 3000 block of South Indiana Avenue in Bronzeville
- 4:27 a.m. on the 2000 block of North Newland Avenue in Galewood
- 5:11 a.m. on the 1300 block of North Lamon Avenue in North Austin
- 5:30 a.m. on the 4800 block of West Hirsch Street in North Austin
At each location, officers say the suspects pulled up in a white Honda Civic and went after work vans, taking items from inside. During one of the stops, a suspect pulled a gun on a van owner and tried to carjack him, but the attempt failed and the crew kept the vehicle, according to CBS Chicago.
Detectives Want Cameras Rolling
Grand Central Area detectives are now combing through nearby surveillance and contacting businesses that might have captured the Civic or the suspects on camera. They are asking residents, building managers and business owners near the four scenes to check their security systems for anything that might help connect the dots.
Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at (312) 746-7394 or submit an anonymous tip online. The department’s tip form is at CPDTIP.com, and tipsters are asked to reference report number 26-CWP-010 when sending in video or sightings.
Why Work Vans Keep Getting Hit
For thieves, work vans can be rolling jackpots. They often carry pricey power tools, ladders and materials that are easy to flip for quick cash, leaving small contractors to absorb the loss and scramble to replace gear they need to work.
Police and security experts advise van owners to lock up tight, pull high-value tools out of vehicles overnight when possible, mark equipment with ID numbers, and consider extra deterrents such as alarmed locks or dashcams. Investigators say any added layer of security, combined with community surveillance footage, can help slow down crews targeting tradespeople just trying to get to their jobs.
