Multiple businesses burglarized in 30 minutes in Highland Park, Illinois, officials say
Burglars overnight targeted nine businesses in just 30 minutes in north suburban Highland Park.
According to the City of Highland Park, a group of five people broke through the front doors or windows of the buildings in an attempt to steal cash from inside.
Highland Park officials said businesses reported both burglaries and attempted burglaries during the early morning hours on Friday.
Michael's Grill & Salad Bar, a downtown Highland Park staple, was among the places targeted around 3:30 a.m.
Restaurant owners confirmed in a Facebook post they were targeted during the string of burglaries reported by the city—a photo of their smashed front window with shattered glass throughout the entrance.
Owners followed the post with the statement:
"Our business and many other Downtown Highland Park small businesses were hit by smash-and-grab crime last night. Now more than ever, let's come together as a community to show our support. Shop local, dine out, and help our businesses recover. Michael's will be OPEN today—stop by and show your love!"
Following a string of smash-and-grab burglaries and despite the break-in and a now boarded door, they were back open for lunch service.
"We're moving forward already. I'm not going to dwell on this in any sort of way. Our community is resilient," owner Ryan Gamperl said.
Surveillance video captured the moments two people broke into his business. One jumped over the counter as they rummaged through the kitchen and seemed to check the contents of the cash register.
"There was nothing for them to take," Gamperl said.
He ran over to the business in his pajamas.
"My phone rang, and it was the police department saying, 'Hey, you know we've had a break-in, so you should get down here,' and so I hopped out of bed and ran on down here," he said.
He found the window near the entrance of his business smashed.
"Just walked up to a bunch of broken glass, and you know, were able to enter the building through the window."
The eight other businesses police say were targeted the same way were steps away, most near Central and Second Avenue. One of the buildings, a former business, was vacant.
Potbelly, already boarded up, was too open for business. Many of the nearby stores, including Michaels, still wear the Highland Park Strong logo, a reminder of their perseverance after a 2022 Fourth of July parade mass shooting shook this community.
"We left the decal of Highland Park strong up because that really matters as a whole. We're strong every day, and I'm not going to let a broken window and some damaged equipment and only if I get in the way of doing what we do."
The Highland Park Police Department is working with regional law enforcement agencies on the investigation. Patrons showed up to show support to the businesses impacted by the crimes.