A team of masked burglars smashed their way into two small businesses in Little Italy and the Loop this week, targeting mobile ATMs in both locations, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
CPD linked the two break-ins and a third similar incident in suburban Evergreen Park, all of which involved four burglars traveling in a stolen Kia SUV.
The first hit occurred around 3:52 a.m. Tuesday in the 1300 block of West Taylor Street. Police said the crew shattered a store window, entered the business, and made off with several items, including a mobile ATM and a cash register.
They struck again around 5:27 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of West Van Buren Street. CPD said the crew shattered a front window, rifled through the shop, and tried to steal its mobile ATM, but failed to remove it before fleeing.
In both cases, the suspects were seen escaping in a white 2018 Kia Sorrento SUV, which police say had been reported stolen before the burglaries. The alert described the group as four young Black men, believed to be between 16 and 20 years old, wearing black hoodies, dark jeans, and black ski masks.
Evergreen Park police are investigating a similar break-in involving the same vehicle and suspects, CPD said.
Chicago police are urging business owners to take preventive measures, including keeping exterior areas well-lit, securing doors and windows, and saving any video footage of suspicious activity. Detectives can be reached at 312-744-8263 or online at CPDTIP.com, referencing case number P25-3-035.
