A burglary crew that has smashed its way into businesses across Chicago is expanding its territory, police say, striking three more times early Saturday on the city’s Northwest Side after a string of break-ins from the South Loop to West Ridge earlier this month.
Authorities said the same group, believed to include two to four men who use crowbars or expandable pry tools to shatter glass doors, has now hit at least ten businesses citywide, targeting cash in safes and registers before fleeing into the night.
In one case, a suspect pointed a handgun and threatened a person who walked into the business during the break-in. CPD said the crew has been using a gray or silver Infiniti four-door sedan, which was previously reported stolen, in most of the burglaries.
The latest burglaries occurred on November 15 at:
- 6100 block of North Milwaukee Avenue around 5:04 a.m.
- 6700 block of North Northwest Highway around 5:21 a.m.
- 3400 block of North Elston Avenue around 6:30 a.m.
Those incidents follow seven earlier break-ins reported between November 5 and November 7, when businesses from the South Loop to West Ridge were targeted. In each case, the offenders forced entry by breaking front glass doors.
The earlier burglaries were reported at:
- 3300 block of North Broadway around 3:20 a.m. on November 5
- 7100 block of North Ridge Boulevard around 3:32 a.m. on November 5
- 600 block of West Washington Boulevard around 4:30 a.m. on November 5
- 400 block of South Wells Street around 5:00 a.m. on November 5
- 1900 block of South State Street around 4:58 a.m. on November 7
- 2000 block of South Clark Street around 5:04 a.m. on November 7
- 500 block of West Harrison Street around 5:40 a.m. on November 7
Police described the offenders as two to four Black men, ages 20 to 30, wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, and ski masks.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com, referencing pattern number P25-3-048.
