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Video Captures Man Throwing Rock At Lincoln Park Potbelly's Window

By Ted Cox | January 23, 2017 12:20pm
 Business owners see similarities in the sort of rock used in the vandalism.
Business owners see similarities in the sort of rock used in the vandalism.
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Josh Moulton

LINCOLN PARK — A prominent business owner believes he caught a rock-throwing vandal on security video last week as the man was hitting a Potbelly's at 565 W. Diversey Pkwy.

Victor Patel, president of LVM Group, with extensive holdings near Diversey, Broadway and Clark Street, caught on video a man throwing rocks at the Potbelly's early Thursday morning, according to fellow merchant Josh Moulton.

The Potbelly's is a tenant of Patel, who owns property in the immediate area, including the hotel being renovated at 601 W. Diversey.

Patel and Moulton, owner of Josh Moulton Fine Art Gallery, 2218 N. Clark St., believe it's the same man who struck several storefronts last week in Lincoln Park, some places more than once. They pointed to similarities in the smooth sort of rock the man typically uses.

According to Patel, the man has been vandalizing businesses in the area since October.

Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) said Monday that her office passed on to police Moulton's original reports of multiple businesses being vandalized last week. "Our call prompted increased patrols in the area and an immediate investigation" by the Near North and Town Hall police districts, she added.

Police confirmed Monday that they're investigating and believe the various incidents of vandalism are connected.

They "need to get this guy off the streets," Moulton said. "Is he just crazy and likes to break windows or does he work for or gets a kickback from a glass-window company or board-up company?"

Moulton complained about the Police Department response last week, but said he was visited by a pair of investigating officers shortly after a DNAinfo story posted on Friday.

"It is my understanding detectives are doing interviews up and down the street and are searching for additional video," Smith said. "If anyone has information they should contact the Chicago Police Department directly."

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