CHICAGO — Burglars used chains to pull the doors off a Morgan Park restaurant in an apparent attempt to steal the business’ ATM on Christmas morning. The crime occurred about 12 hours after Chicago police issued a warning about 18 similar burglaries reported in the area since September.
Cops responded to a burglary at El Gallo, 2547 West 111th Street, around 5:25 a.m. Wednesday. They found the business’ front doors compromised and determined that burglars probably used chains to force the doors open, according to preliminary information.
The crew reportedly damaged the restaurant’s ATM but couldn’t loosen its cash reserve.
On Tuesday evening, Area Two detectives released a community alert about similar break-ins. Investigators suspect the same people are responsible for all of the crimes.
According to the alert, burglars are entering businesses by placing chains on the front doors and using a stolen vehicle to pull the doors off. Once inside, the thieves steal cash registers, ATMs, tobacco products, and other items.
Detectives tied 18 burglaries to the crime pattern. They occurred in:
- the 10600 block of South Torrence on September 8
- the 10700 block of South Wentworth on September 17
- the first block of West 79th Street, September 26
- 1600 block of West Monterey, September 26
- 8500 block of South Ashland, October 6
- 13300 block of South Brainard, October 30
- 2300 block of West 111th Street, November 14
- 10200 block of South Vincennes, November 22
- 2500 block of East 87th Street, November 22
- 3900 block of East 106th Street, November 25
- 2600 block of East 79th Street, December 04
- 11600 block of South Halsted, December 10
- 7800 block of South Cottage Grove, December 17
- 8800 block of South Ashland, December 17
- 400 block of East 83rd Street, December 17
- 11100 block of South Halsted, December 20
- 100 block of East 75th Street, December 24
- 100 block of West 103rd Street, December 24
Investigators described the burglars only as “multiple offenders wearing dark clothing, including hoodies and masks.” Anyone with information about the crimes can contact Area Two at 312-747-8273 regarding crime pattern #24-2-020(b)CA.
