Chicago’s auto repair shops in the Albany Park or North Park neighborhoods and the Lake View or Lincoln Square neighborhoods are on edge after a spate of robberies and burglaries. Thieves have been shattering windows and grabbing cash and keys, leaving behind a trail of dismay and sharp demands for increased safety measures. An official Chicago Police Department bulletin states the crimes took place on November 25th in the early hours, affecting several businesses in quick succession.
The burglary rampage started at 3:46 a.m. on North Elston Ave and proceeded to assail other shops through to North Ashland Ave. The criminals shattered storefronts with bricks and, in one case, rammed a garage door with a vehicle, indicating a pattern of forceful and rapid entry. The suspects, three African American males in their late teens to early twenties wearing dark clothing and ski masks, used little subtlety in their approach.
The Chicago Police have offered a vague suspect description and are advising business owners to enhance lighting, remain alert, and repair security systems promptly. The use of surveillance footage is emphasized as crucial for the investigation. Urgently, police are instructing proprietors to avoid disturbing crime scenes and to report incidents without delay, “If you are a victim do not touch anything, call police immediately,” the bulletin states, and encourages witness cooperation.
In response, businesses are beefing up their defenses while the CPD emphasizes the importance of preserving evidence and the value of community vigilance. The reminder to report any suspicious behavior aims to forge collective resilience in the face of the recent criminal activities.