Serial burglar has targeted at least 27 businesses in 3 weeks, Chicago police say

February 5, 2025 6:16 AM CWBChicago Citywide
Surveillance images show the burglar responsible for at least 27 break-ins since mid-January. (Chicago Police Department)

CHICAGO — Police are working to identify a one-man crime wave responsible for burglarizing at least 27 businesses across the North and Northwest Sides of Chicago over the past three weeks.

The serial burglar is breaking front windows and doors to get inside the businesses so he can steal money from the cash registers, according to a new CPD alert.

Area Five detectives have linked the man to the following burglaries:

January 16

  • 5000 block of West Irving Park at 3:26 a.m.

January 17

  • 2500 block of North Lincoln Ave at 4:10 a.m.
  • 2600 block of North Lincoln Ave at 4:14 a.m.
  • 2400 block of North Lincoln at 5:40 a.m.
  • 2800 block of North Sheffield between 8 p.m. and 6:33 a.m. the next day

January 18

  • 2900 block of North Broadway between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.

January 21

  • 4300 block of North Elston before 7 a.m.
  • 4000 block of North Elston at 4:34 a.m.
  • 3600 block of West Irving Park at 4:57 a.m.

January 22

  • 2000 block of West Howard at 5:14 a.m.

January 27

  • 5400 block of North Broadway between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.
  • 1000 block of West Argyle at 5:07 a.m.
  • 5000 block of North Sheridan at 5:20 a.m.
  • 1100 block of West Argyle at 5:21 a.m.

January 28

  • 1100 block of West Granville at 11:30 p.m.
  • 5300 block of North Clark at 6:36 a.m. (two incidents)

January 31

  • 6700 block of North Clark at 3:45 a.m.
  • 6600 block of North Clark at 3:54 a.m. and again at 4:50 a.m.

February 2

  • 1500 block of West Devon Ave at 6:15 a.m.
  • 6600 block of North Broadway at 6:18 a.m.

February 3

  • 7000 block of West Higgins at 2:57 a.m.
  • 6300 block of West Higgins at 4 a.m.

February 4

  • 4200 block of West Irving Park at 3:43 a.m.
  • 5100 block of West Irving Park at 4:59 a.m.
  • 5100 block of West Irving Park between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Police described the suspect as a male of unspecified race wearing a black hat, black gloves, a black mask, dark clothing, and a black backpack. CPD also released a short video of the suspect.

Anyone with information about him can contact investigators by calling 312-746-7394 or going online to CPDTIP.com. Refer to crime pattern #25-CWP-007

Facts first. 100% reader-funded. Click here to support CWBChicago today.
About CWBChicago 8993 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is [email protected]
Website