CHICAGO (WLS) — Business owners on Chicago’s North Side were left cleaning up damage after smash-and-grab burglars targeted multiple establishments early Saturday morning, including Lickity Split, a popular ice cream and candy shop in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood.
At Lickity Split, located in the 6000-block of North Broadway, owners assessed the damage after thieves broke into the store.
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“He threw our cash drawer in the middle of Broadway yeah so it’s kind of a mess,” said Ken Anderson, owner of Lickity Split Ice Cream Shop.
Security camera video from inside the shop shows a suspect breaking into the business and running inside. The suspect can be seen taking the cash register before fleeing.
The shop owner said the business went cashless months ago for the safety of employees and customers in an effort to prevent incidents like this. A sign posted outside the store states that the business does not accept cash. The thief does not appear to have taken anything else.
Another business farther down Broadway was also targeted during the same time period.
Investigators said that only minutes later, at least three other businesses in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood were broken into as well.
According to police, thieves broke or damaged glass windows and doors at each location. Items were reported stolen from one of the businesses.
The series of burglaries has left some business owners frustrated.
“You pay your taxes. you employ people. You want to be a good community partner. you want to be part of the neighborhood and it’s so disrespectful and it hurts,” Anderson said.
Investigators are hoping evidence collected from the crime scenes will provide clues. It remains unclear whether the burglaries are connected.
Police continue to investigate. No suspects are in custody, and no arrests have been announced.
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Source: abc7chicago.com
