CHICAGO (WLS) — Police are investigating a series of overnight smash-and-grab burglaries at businesses across Chicago’s North and Northwest sides, including a Lincoln Park dessert shop that was burglarized for the third time in less than two years.
At Yoberri Gourmet on Clark Street, owner Mike Vincent said a motion-sensor camera captured a person inside the store shortly after 4 a.m. Vincent said his wife first spotted the image, and by the time they headed to the shop, police had already contacted them about the broken glass.
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“They were only in here for like less than 60 seconds. It’s almost like they knew exactly where it was at; so they just kind of zipped in, grabbed it, yanked it and then ran off,” Vincent said.
According to Vincent, the burglar stole about $100 from the register. However, he said the cost of replacing damaged property, including the broken door, will far exceed the amount taken.
“The damage definitely outweighs the cash or the things that were actually taken. We have to buy new registers, new cables that connect everything up. We have to fix our window,” Vincent said.
Vincent said the business has been targeted multiple times.
“This is probably the third time in about 20 months, 18 months. So we’re starting to get a little desensitized to it, which is kind of sad,” he said.
Other businesses also reported damage overnight. On Clark Street, Café Mako and a dry cleaner were left with broken windows. Police also responded to shattered windows and doors at El Taconazo Jr. near Fullerton and Kildare, Chema’s Restaurant in Humboldt Park, Jet’s Pizza in Logan Square and a Pizza Hut and Subway at Campbell and North avenues.
Police have not said whether the break-ins are connected.
Vincent said small business owners have limited options for preventing such crimes and recovering from the damage they cause.
“We don’t want to be the business that goes cashless. I don’t think that that’s fair to people. Investing into new cameras or better windows, it just means stuff that’s gonna need to get replaced when things inevitably happen again,” he said.
Police have not said whether anyone was in custody in connection with the overnight break-ins.
Police have stepped up patrols in the neighborhood in response.
CPD announced charges against 19-year-old Charles Kelly in connection with at least one burglary in the 3400-block of North Clark Street.
Kelly, who is facing burglary, attempted burglary, and theft charges, is also linked to similar crimes on Sept. 30 in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Ukrainian Village and on Oct. 15 in Beverly and Princeton Park, police said.
Alderman Timmy Knudsen of the 43rd Ward said in a statement:
“The Chicago Police Department has alerted my office to three burglaries on the 2200 and 2300 blocks of N Clark Street. The incidents are under investigation with Area Three Detectives and Chicago Police officers on the scene.
“These burglaries are senseless crimes. Most businesses don’t keep cash on site, and break-ins leave local owners with costly repairs and timely clean up. As I continue to engage CPD leadership for a resolution, I will keep pressing for long-term solutions, including a sustained patrol on Clark Street while also investing in public safety infrastructure like public observation devices (POD cameras) where gaps in coverage are identified. My office will also work with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and our Special Service Area to connect affected businesses with resources while pinpointing other creative ways to protect the corridor.
“Public safety remains my number one priority and I will continue to push the city for the resources and staffing we need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
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Source: abc7chicago.com
