Crew Of Tool Thieves Ransacks Work Vans From West Loop To Bridgeport

Contractors rolling into jobsites across the Near West Side and downtown are getting an unwelcome heads-up from Chicago police: someone is working the work vans.

On Tuesday, Chicago police issued a community alert after a run of early-morning break-ins targeting work and cargo vans in the Near West Side, West Loop, Fulton Market, Garfield Park and Bridgeport. Investigators say crews forced their way into locked vans and stole construction equipment in a string of incidents reported earlier this week.

The 12th District detailed the pattern in a notice posted to its X account on Tuesday and urged crews to secure their tools and share any leads. As posted by Chicago Police 12th District, officers recommend keeping high-value tools in bolted security chests and parking vans in well-lit areas instead of dark side streets.

Where the crews struck

Police logged a cluster of early-morning thefts last Monday across downtown and the Near West Side, including Garfield Park, the Fulton Market district, the West Loop and the Loop. CBS Chicago published a block-by-block breakdown that lists the 3000 block of W. Carroll Ave, the 800 block of W. Lake St, the 600 block of W. Warren Ave, the 200 block of S. Ashland Ave and downtown locations on S. Wabash and S. Wells. Two related incidents were reported last Friday in the 3000 block of S. Canal Street and nearby Bridgeport blocks, according to police.

Who police are looking for

Authorities describe the suspects as three to four Black males, roughly 16 to 19 years old, dressed in dark clothing and wearing face masks. The group was seen arriving and taking off in a white Acura SUV with license plates that had already been reported stolen, according to FOX 32 Chicago.

Police advice for contractors and crews

Officers are urging vehicle owners to strip obvious company branding from vans that might advertise valuable gear, upgrade weak factory locks to stronger deadbolts or hook locks, and stash expensive tools in bolted security chests or inside storage cabinets instead of leaving them loose in the cargo area. Local coverage has echoed the department guidance, emphasizing well-lit parking and visible security measures to discourage would-be thieves who might be casing blocks before dawn.

How to provide tips

Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com using reference number 26-CWP-016, according to the alert. CBS Chicago also published the detective contact information for tips on the case.

Seen this before

This is not the first time work-van crews have been hit downtown this spring. As construction projects ramp up, similar coordinated thefts were reported in April. Hoodline’s earlier coverage of an earlier smash-and-grab crew in the Loop traced a pattern that investigators and contractors say has continued into early June.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and that detectives are working video footage and community tips. Contractors and residents in the affected neighborhoods report growing concern about tool theft as projects keep rolling across downtown.