Three Person Burglary Crew Hits Five Chicago Businesses Across Loop and North Side in Two Week Predawn Spree
CHICAGO, IL – Chicago police issued a warning Friday about a three person burglary crew they say has been responsible for a string of predawn break-ins at restaurants and small stores across the Loop and North Side throughout June, leaving business owners to deal with smashed glass, looted counters, and missing cash registers.
Crew Pries Out Window Sealant to Reach Inside Storefronts
According to police, the crew’s method involves prying out the sealant molding around window panes and glass door inserts, then removing the glass panels entirely to reach inside and grab property. Officers say stolen items have included cash registers, bottles of alcohol, and tobacco products. Merchants told reporters the burglars move quickly and often leave storefronts unusable until glass and frames can be fully replaced.
Five Break-Ins Across the Loop, Lakeview East, and Uptown
Detectives say the crew struck five times between June 5 and June 19, hitting locations across multiple North Side neighborhoods. Police listed the incidents as occurring in the 0 to 100 block of E. 9th Street on June 5, the 300 block of E. Wacker Drive on June 10, both the 3900 block of N. Sheridan Road and the 1000 block of W. Lawrence Avenue on June 14, and the 0 to 100 block of E. Harrison Street on June 19.
Suspects Described as Two Males and One Female Between 17 and 25
Officers described the suspects as two males and one female, believed to be between 17 and 25 years old. Investigators are treating the five incidents as part of a single related pattern rather than isolated burglaries.
Part of a Larger Wave of Predawn Smash and Grab Crime
The break-ins reflect a broader trend of predawn smash and grab and ATM theft incidents that have rattled downtown Chicago and the north lakefront in recent weeks, with some crews hauling out entire machines or tearing down displays to access merchandise and cash. In response, more merchants across the city have begun shifting ATMs away from front windows and investing in temporary boarding to limit damage from repeat hits.
Business Owners Weigh Repairs Against Long Term Security Upgrades
Merchants affected by the burglaries told reporters they are weighing quick fixes such as boarding up windows and installing temporary fencing, alongside longer term investments like shatter resistant shields and relocating ATMs away from street facing glass. Many owners say the real financial toll comes less from the stolen cash and more from repair bills and lost business hours, leaving small operators absorbing recovery costs while the investigation continues.
Police Ask Business Owners to Preserve Footage and Report Tips
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263. Detectives have urged business owners to preserve surveillance video and avoid disturbing potential evidence until officers arrive at the scene. The Chicago Police Department’s standard business alerts also recommend keeping doors and windows secured, maintaining strong exterior lighting, and saving security footage in case it is needed for an active investigation.
As this burglary pattern continues to unfold across Chicago’s North Side, small business owners are left balancing recovery costs with the uncertainty of when the crew might strike again. Stay with pinewhispers.net for updates as this investigation develops.
