Chicago — Check out this video from one of our readers in Lincoln Park. Their building’s security cameras recorded it around 7:40 a.m. last Saturday, March 11.
Seemingly without a care in the world, this guy jimmied his way into the complex, located in the 2700 block of North Pine Grove. After wandering down a nearby hallway, he circled back, grabbed two packages from the front desk, and pedaled away on a Divvy bike.
Another CWB Chicago reader sent along this next video from elsewhere in the city. After reading our recent story about package thieves disguising themselves as Amazon delivery workers, our reader spotted this guy hard at work.
After waiting for a car to pass, he jogged down the stairs with a package that he didn’t have when he arrived. Then, lo and behold, he found something of interest on the porch next door as he walked away.
Theft reports are on the rise citywide, according to the Chicago Police Department’s most recent statistical report. Cases are up 25% compared to last year, 104% versus 2021, and more than 30% compared to 2020 and 2019. Exactly how much of that increase is due to package theft cannot be determined from the city’s records.
Burglaries are also up 10% this year and 43% compared to 2021, though they are down from levels seen before COVID. Some cops speculate that the longer-term burglary decrease may result from more people working from home.
The best protection is to have your packages delivered to a locker or storefront for pick-up. Barring that, stay on the lookout when you are expecting a delivery. It only takes a few seconds for a cleverly-disguised “Amazon driver” to snap up your goodies.
