CHICAGO — Police are investigating a string of sophisticated smash-and-grab burglaries of high-end stores on the city's North Side that have included up to eight burglars in a single heist.
The crimes have been similar, according to police, as the burglars have canvassed the stores during the midnight hours before shattering the front glass and leaving the scene in multiple vehicles.
Police said the criminals have used crowbars, sledge hammers and pipes to break into the businesses.
"The fact that we have been able to recover some forensic evidence at our scenes leads us to believe this is not some professional high-end, movie-quality crew," said Sgt. Edward Wodnicki of the Area Central detective division.
Thieves have struck at five stores in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Old Town and Streeterville neighborhoods.
The stolen items have included high-end purses, clothing, electronics and other goods, according to police.
The worst-hit store lost an estimated $100,000 in goods, according to police, with the smallest loss estimated at $10,000.
Police said there are a number of similarities between the five heists, but said it is most likely there are several different crews with a similar idea.
During the burglaries, crews case the area after arriving in two, three or four vehicles. When the coast is clear they drive up and smash the window, police said.
"They run in — and when I say they, I mean 4, 5, 6, 8 people — run into the store, grab and much as they possibly can and flee," Wodnicki said.
The cars used include a mid-1990s brown or gold Cadillac, a maroon Pontiac minivan, a red minivan and several other cars that police could not identify.
Police said video surveillance shows police cars driving by the shops right before the burglaries occurred.
"That tells us the bad guys are using counter surveillance to watch our patrols," Wodnicki said.
The most recent burglary happened at 5:10 a.m. Monday in the 1600 block of North Wells Street.
Over the weekend, two burglaries took place: one at 7:16 a.m. Saturday in the 300 block of North Clark Street, and the other at 6:30 a.m. Friday in the 1800 block of North Clybourn Avenue.
On Sept 15, another burglary took place at 3:49 a.m. in the first block of East Oak Street.
The first of these string of burglaries took place at 4:27 a.m. Aug. 21 in the 800 block of North Michigan Avenue.
Police said there are a number of suspects, but no one was in custody as of Tuesday.
A lack of high-quality surveillance video has hindered the investigation, police said.
"A lot of businesses, despite the fact that we are right in downtown Chicago, have antiquated video surveillance systems," Wodnicki said.
Detectives are urging retail owners to install a good quality burglar alarm system, along with special film that's applied to windows to make them harder to break.
Anyone who witnesses a burglary is urged to try to remember any characteristics of the thieves involved such as scars, acne or tattoos.
Anyone with information regarding the burglaries can detectives at 312-747-8384.
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