Chicago police are warning North Side residents about a man suspected of stealing electric scooters in a series of daytime thefts. In a new community alert, CPD linked the man to seven scooter thefts since June. However, CWB Chicago has received emails from readers reporting similar incidents, suggesting the pattern may extend beyond the cases identified by police.
According to police, the man has been disabling the scooters by carving into their ignition systems, allowing him to bypass the key-start function and ride away. All seven thefts identified by police occurred during daylight or early evening hours, according to the alert. Police described the suspect as a White man in his 50s who has been seen wearing a white shirt, blue shorts and a fanny pack.
The thefts identified by police occurred at the following locations and times:
- 700 block of West Brompton Avenue on June 9 at 1 p.m.
- 4100 block of North Sheridan Road on June 21 at noon
- 3500 block of North Lake Shore Drive on June 30 at 6:30 p.m.
- 600 block of West Briar Place on July 8 at 2 p.m.
- 1900 block of West Roscoe Street on July 21 at 3 p.m.
- 4600 block of North Western Avenue on August 18 at 6 p.m.
- 4700 block of North Western Avenue on August 22 at 7 p.m.
Police are asking anyone with information about the thefts or the suspect to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263. Anonymous tips can be submitted through CPDTIP.com using crime pattern number P26-3-028.
CWB Chicago has reported on similar scooter theft patterns in Chicago over the years. In April 2025, a 32-time convicted felon received a six-year prison sentence for stealing scooters. The same man received 10 concurrent eight-year sentences in 2020 for a similar series of thefts. There is no indication from CPD that he is a suspect in the latest crime wave.
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