Police are searching for a burglary crew that smashed its way into at least three businesses in Lakeview and Lincoln Park overnight, a series of crimes that may be connected to a crime pattern the Chicago Police Department warned about less than a week ago.
Shortly before 3 a.m., four men armed with crowbars and other tools forced their way into Z Food Mart at 3504 North Broadway in Lakeview, according to a preliminary police report.
Minutes later, just after 3 a.m., the crew struck again just south of Fullerton Avenue in Lincoln Park.
At least four men smashed through the front door of Big Apple Finer Foods at 2345 North Clark Street and took cash from the registers, a report said. Directly across the street, the same group broke into Serai Cafe and Deli at 2342 North Clark Street and removed the cash register before fleeing.
Cops were told to be on the lookout for a purple 2018 Kia sedan that was seen in the area and had recently been reported stolen in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Last week, CPD warned about a group of armed men burglarizing and robbing small businesses, many in Lakeview and Lincoln Park.
Between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on January 3, the crew struck in the 2300 block of West Chicago Avenue, the 3000 block of North Ashland Avenue, the 2600 block of North Lincoln Avenue, and the 3100 block of North Broadway.
The same group is also suspected in a pair of incidents on January 5 in the 500 block of North Halsted Street at 12:41 a.m. and in the 2900 block of West Montrose Avenue at 1:48 a.m.
CPD said the crew consists of up to five Black men between 20 and 30 years old, all wearing dark clothing and ski masks. During last week’s crimes, the offenders were reported to be using a stolen black Acura TLX.
Detectives from Area 3 and Area 5 are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact Area 3 detectives at 312-744-8263 or Area 5 detectives at 312-746-7394. Tips can also be submitted at CPDTIP.com, referencing crime pattern 26-CWP-001.
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