Overnight in Chicago's Loop, a car smashed through the front window of a Circle K convenience store at the Adams and Franklin intersection, leaving the storefront mangled and glass scattered across the sidewalk. Video of the crash began circulating Sunday, and it was not immediately clear whether thieves made off with cash or merchandise.
According to ABC7 Chicago, heavy damage was left behind at the Circle K, which sits across the street from Willis Tower. The station reported that it had reached out to the Chicago Police Department for more information about the break in.
Part of a Broader Smash and Grab Wave
The Loop has been dealing with a string of smash-and-grab and grab thefts that have hit businesses across the city in recent months. Predawn ATM bandits tearing through the Loop, Lakeview and Chinatown were recently detailed, and CBS Chicago documented a River North case in April where suspects used a Jeep to smash a door and steal an ATM.
Police and Investigators
ABC7 Chicago reported that it had contacted the Chicago Police Department for comment about the Loop break in. In related ATM and gas station burglaries, police have urged people to preserve surveillance footage and pass video along to detectives, and FOX 32 Chicago lists Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380 and the CPDTIP.com portal for anonymous tips.
Why Merchants Are Worried
For small businesses, the hit is often more than the cash or goods taken, with broken doors and windows, lost operating hours and higher repair and insurance bills all adding up. Owners hit by predawn attacks are already weighing security changes after the recent string of incidents.
Investigators are asking anyone with footage from the Adams and Franklin area to share it with police as they piece together what happened, and FOX 32 Chicago again lists the CPDTIP.com portal and Area One's phone number for tips. We will update if officials release more details.
