Police searching for man behind nearly 30 burglaries across Chicago's North, Northwest sides
CHICAGO (CBS) — Police issued a warning Wednesday that one lone man is behind nearly 30 burglaries across Chicago's North and Northwest sides.
Detectives are looking for the man, as those running the businesses said the burglaries were a hit to their bottom line during a tough time.
Sweet Café, at 6348 W. Higgins Ave. in the Jefferson Park neighborhood, was hit this past Monday morning.
"They broke the door," said Sweet Café general manager Peter Letsos. "They broke the desk."
The family-owned business is out about $7,000 in damage alone.
Letsos said the staff at Sweet Café were already on alert after seeing all the other businesses hit recently.
Police on Wednesday released a video of the suspect breaking windows and doors to get inside during the 27 burglaries that took place from Jan. 16 to Tuesday morning — one of which was the burglary at Sweet Café. Lazic Deli, at 7035 W. Higgins Ave. in Norwood Park, was hit Monday morning just after Sweet Café.
The burglaries stretched across 12 different neighborhoods:
- 5000 block of West Irving Park Road, Portage Park, on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 3:26 a.m.
- 2500 block of North Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park on Friday, Jan. 17, at 4:10 a.m.
- 2600 block of North Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park, on Friday, Jan. 17, at 4:14 a.m.
- 2400 block of North Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln Park, on Friday, Jan. 17, at 5:40 a.m.
- 2800 block of North Sheffield Avenue, Lakeview, between 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and 6:33 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18.
- 2900 block of North Broadway, East Lakeview, on Saturday, Jan. 18, between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.
- 4300 block of North Elston Avenue, Irving Park, between 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, and 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21.
- 4000 block of North Elston Avenue, Irving Park, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 4:34 a.m.
- 3600 block of West Irving Park Road, Irving Park, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 4:57 a.m.
- 2000 block of West Howard Street, Rogers Park, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 5:14 a.m.
- 5400 block of N. Broadway, Edgewater, on Monday, Jan. 27, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.
- 1000 block of West Argyle Street, Uptown, on Monday, Jan. 27, at 5:07 a.m.
- 1100 block of West Argyle Street, Uptown, on Monday, Jan. 27, at 5:21 a.m.
- 5000 block of North Sheridan Road, on Monday, Jan. 27, at 5:20 a.m.
- 1100 block of West Granville Avenue, Edgewater, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11:30 p.m.
- 5300 block of North Clark Street, Andersonville, between 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, and 6:36 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
- 5300 block of North Clark Street, Andersonville, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6:36 a.m.
- 6700 block of North Clark Street, Rogers Park, on Friday, Jan. 31, at 3:45 a.m.
- 6600 block of North Clark Street, Rogers Park, on Friday, Jan. 31, at 3:54 a.m.
- 6600 block of North Clark Street, Rogers Park, on Friday, Jan. 31, at 4:50 a.m.
- 1500 block of West Devon Avenue, Edgewater, on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 6:15 a.m.
- 6000 block of North Broadway, Edgewater, on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 6:18 a.m.
- 7000 block of West Higgins Avenue, Norwood Park, on Monday, Feb. 3, at 2:57 a.m.
- 6300 block of West Higgins Avenue, Jefferson Park, on Monday, Feb. 3, at 4 a.m.
- 4200 block of West Irving Park Road, Old Irving Park, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 3:43 a.m.
- 5100 block of West Irving Park Road, Portage Park, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 4:59 a.m.
- 5100 block of West Irving Park Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
Surveillance video shows a man entering what appears to be a bar or restaurant with a backpack. He's wearing a black hat, gloves, mask, dark clothing, and a black backpack. He used a flashlight to get around the bar.
Police have not confirmed whether the one man they have connected to all the burglaries was working with anyone else. They only said cash was stolen in every incident.
"Unfortunately in Chicago, these kinds of things have been more and more common," Letsos said.
Letsos is right. CBS News Chicago ran the numbers and found 759 restaurants were burglarized in Chicago last year — the most seen in 23 years.
Early into this year, through Jan. 27, 78 restaurants have been hit.
Letsos has advice for other business owners and operators, as he hopes for an arrest in his own case.
"Hopefully, you have a safe or take the money home with you," said Letsos. "Just be safe — alarm systems, cameras. Let your employees know to be careful coming into or leaving the building."
Letsos says despite broken doors or pricey eggs, the restaurant it will keep at it here in Jefferson Park.
"We work hard every day, trying to take care of the customers and the employees," said Letsos.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Belmont Area detectives at 312-744-8263.