Businesses across Chicago have been hit hard by burglars over the past couple of years. Incidents citywide were up 3% in 2024, primarily due to increases in commercial burglaries rather than residential break-ins.
Now, prosecutors have charged two men with being part of a prolific burglary crew that either used chains to rip the doors off targeted businesses or gained entry by ramming the stores with stolen vehicles.
Marquez “Smoke” Robinson, 25, and Keshawn Howze, 27, are not accused of directly working together, but Chicago police publicly linked the burglaries they are accused of participating in with the same group of burglars. In one community alert, investigators said the group was responsible for at least 23 break-ins, including the four Robinson and Howze are charged with.
Howze and his crew scored an incredible $150,000 hit when they used chains and a stolen Jeep to pull the front doors off Danny’s Buyback, 400 East 103rd Street, on June 22, according to police and prosecutors. He and his associates allegedly loaded up on electronics and bolted before police arrived.
That same morning, the crew struck again at Flee Club, 2221 West Taylor, using chains and a vehicle to pull off the doors and then steal clothing worth nearly $5,000, prosecutors said. In an unusual twist, the owner of Flee Club was arrested last summer on allegations that his store knowingly bought and sold stolen merchandise, including high-end bags and shoes.
Judge Shauna Boliker released Howze to await trial on two counts of burglary.
CPD officers and FBI agents who recently executed a federal probation warrant at Robinson’s home found “large pull chains,” a hammer, a mallet, and a pry bar under the rear porch, according to his arrest report.
The report said he was identified through video and phone records as one of the burglars who drove a stolen car through the front door of Armanetti Liquors, 8010 South Kedzie, on May 27. The group, armed with at least one gun, stole liquor worth more than $10,000, officials said.
That same morning, the group pulled the front doors off Buy Low Food & Liquor, 849 West 87th Street, with chains attached to a stolen car. Another $11,000 worth of booze was taken there, officials said. Once again, Robinson was identified through video and phone records, according to his arrest report.
Judge James Murphy ordered Robinson to go on electronic monitoring if he clears his federal warrant.
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