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Burglars Smash Into Bucktown Lingerie Shop, Swipe 20 Bras and Cash [VIDEO]

By Alisa Hauser | March 28, 2017 2:30pm | Updated on March 29, 2017 7:51am
 Lingerie at Journelle was pulled out of displays and thrown to the ground during a burglary, the store workers say.
Lingerie at Journelle was pulled out of displays and thrown to the ground during a burglary, the store workers say.
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BUCKTOWN — Less than an hour after a Bucktown lingerie shop closed for the night on Monday, three burglars broke in and went on what looks like a panty and bra raid — with silky undergarments strewn about the floor amid shards of glass.

"This feels like a total invasion of the place that we call home, an intimate environment not just for our clients but for us, too," said Yessi Lantigua, assistant manager of Journelle at 1725 N. Damen Ave.

Lantigua said about $150 was stolen after the burglars slammed the cash register to the floor to open it.

They also grabbed "a bunch of underwear, then ditched it," she said. However, during the four minutes the thieves were in the store, they did steal at least 20 bras valued at $90 each, Lantigua said.

"They might have had stuff in their backpack; we are going through inventory to see what is missing," Lantigua added.

The burglars, captured on a security video shared with police as a report was filed, appeared to be in their 20s and were carrying backpacks, Lantigua said.

One man threw himself into the shop's rear glass door and was wearing a maroon jacket and a camouflage backpack. He was described as black, while the two other men wore hooded sweatshirts up over their heads and dark clothing, so it was difficult to see them, she said.

The burglary happened about 7:50 p.m. Monday.

The burglars also attempted to enter into Current/Elliott, next door at 1723 N. Damen Ave., by trying to break the front window with rocks but were unsuccessful, said the store's manager Alaina Barrett.

Current/Elliott is known for its popular brand of jeans that retail for $228.

"They likely didn't want underwear. They wanted jeans," said Barrett.

Officer Kevin Quaid, a Chicago Police spokesman, confirmed that the incident was reported to police. However, Quaid said the report has not been finalized in the computer system.

An upscale boutique based in New York City, Journelle launched in 2007 and brought its "siren-worthy lingerie" to Damen Avenue in 2015.

Lingerie at Journelle after a burglary. [Provided]