CHICAGO — A burglary crew has been pounding restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on the north and northwest sides this week, targeting at least 19 establishments, according to a new warning from Chicago police.
The group, consisting of two and four men, wore dark clothing, face masks, and gloves and traveled in a gray Volkswagen Jetta, a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a dark sedan, police said.
Operating during overnight hours, they break out a front glass door or a window, then climb inside to take money from cash registers and anything of value from the business offices.
Police said the robberies began at an unnamed business in the 2600 block of North Clark around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 22.
During a five-hour spree early the next morning, ten shops were targeted:
- an unknown business in the 2900 block of North Clark at 12:30 a.m.
- an unknown business in the 2600 block of North Clark at 2 a.m.
- two unknown businesses in the 2500 block of North Clark around 2:50 a.m.
- Lou Malnati’s, 3963 North Avondale, at 2:45 a.m.
- Backlot Coffee, 2982 North Avondale, at 2:46 a.m.
- Dairy Queen, 5636 West Irving Park, at 4:02 a.m.
- Copacubana Cafe, 5800 West Irving Park, at 4:04 a.m.
- Earl’s BBQ, 4835 North Austin, at 4:40 a.m.
- Everybody’s Coffe, 935 West Wilson, at 5:07 a.m.
Early on Wednesday morning, September 25, reports of another wave of burglaries surfaced.
- Rockwell Bottle Shop & Coffee, 4634 North Rockwell, at 2:44 a.m.
- Glassy Vapes, 1530 West Montrose, at 2:45 a.m.
- an unknown business in the 1900 block of West Montrose at 3:25 a.m.
- Angelo’s Wine Bar, 3026 West Montrose, at 4:02 a.m.
- Mima’s Taste of Cuba, 2925 West Irving Park, at 4:02 a.m.
- Cafe Beograd, 2933 West Irving Park, at 4:02 a.m.
- Four Treys Tavern, 3333 North Damen, at 4:20 a.m.
- AJ Hudson, 3800 North Ashland, between midnight and 6 a.m.
Detectives from Area Three and Area Five are working on the investigation. You can reach them at 312-746-7394 and 312-744-8263.
