Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Lakeview Businesses Beef Up Security In Wake Of Burglary Spree

By Ariel Cheung | August 7, 2015 6:54am
 A burglar took a video surveillance receiver and $300 in cash from Si-Pie Pizzeria, 3477 N. Broadway St., its owner said.
A burglar took a video surveillance receiver and $300 in cash from Si-Pie Pizzeria, 3477 N. Broadway St., its owner said.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung

LAKEVIEW — As far as burglaries go, The Menz Room got off pretty light.

Only the barber shop's cash register — containing $370 — was taken in a July 28 break-in. Nearby gaming consoles and accessories were left behind, co-owner David LaSalle told DNAinfo Chicago.

Still, in the days following the burglary, The Menz Room upped its security at 3437 N. Sheffield Ave. The co-owners installed a security camera and a new lock system, hopefully to avoid a repeat of the burglary.

Robberies and burglaries reported in Lakeview doubled from June to July, according to the most recent police data. The surge in break-ins has officials offering safety advice and businesses like The Menz Room looking to beef up security.

 The Menz Room, 3437 N. Sheffield Ave., lost about $370 in a burglary in late July, its owner said.
The Menz Room, 3437 N. Sheffield Ave., lost about $370 in a burglary in late July, its owner said.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung

"We just have to be vigilant as the store owners and try to take every precaution possible. It's not like crime is just in our area. You'll have a spurt of a few, and then they go to another district. I don't think it's concentrated right here," said Maureen Martino, executive director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce.

In the week since the burglary, LaSalle said police have been "amazing" at keeping him in the loop and recognizing a pattern in the incidents.

"The police said somebody is doing the same thing over and over," LaSalle said Tuesday. Police told LaSalle that in several recent cases, suspects have taken nothing but cash drawers and usually enter through the back door, he said.

LaSalle pointed out that there were no signs of forced entry in his shop, so it's possible the suspect was familiar with the store, perhaps a former employee. Either way, he is putting a positive spin on his bad luck, offering $20 buzz cuts with proceeds donated to Wounded Warriors this month.

In Lakeview, burglaries, defined as entering a property without permission to commit a felony or theft, rose from seven in June to 13 from July 1-30, according to the most recent police data. Robberies — theft with use or threat of force — rose from nine to 18.

The number of thefts and aggravated assaults or batteries remained about the same.

In response to the rise, Ald. Tom Tunney said police have dedicated "increased resources" to Lakeview, although his office declined to explain what that entailed. The Town Hall District is "very aware of this burglary pattern," spokeswoman Erin Duffy said.

While west Lakeview businesses haven't seen the same uptick in burglaries, the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce recently created an alert list to help spread the word when crimes do occur.

From shoplifting to break-ins, businesses can quickly communicate through the email alerts, said Lee Crandell, executive director of the chamber.

It's important for neighboring businesses to look out for each other, especially when professional burglars could spend days staking out a place before committing a crime, Martino said.

Tunney's office encourages businesses to have brighter lights to illuminate potential wrongdoers and keep minimal amounts of cash in the building overnight. Other safety measures like video surveillance and alarm systems also are ideal.

That wasn't enough for Si-Pie Pizzeria at 3477 N. Broadway St., which was burglarized July 16. The burglar took the store's video receiver along with their cash drawer, leaving owner Simon Mikhail without a means of identification. Once he replaces the video surveillance system, Mikhail said he will set up a backup system that sends footage directly to his mobile device.

About $300 in cash was taken, but the receiver's loss brought his damages to about $5,000. Mikhail said he doesn't think Si-Pie's break-in was related to others in the area.

"It is disappointing, but it could have been worse. We get mostly credit cards now, and thank God for that," said Mikhail.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: