String Of Smash And Grab Retails Burglaries Reported On South, North Sides

CHICAGO — Chicago police are alerting retail businesses throughout the city of a string of smash-and-grab burglaries that that took place last week. The nine forced entry burglaries took place in the early morning hours on Dec. 17 and Dec. 20.

In each instance, two to four men arrived in a stolen vehicle. Police said the crew jumped out armed with a hammer or other blunt object to smash or force the front doors of the businesses open to gain entry.

The crew leaves with cash, large fire extinguishers, small deposit boxes, small safes and poker machines, then re-enter the vehicle and make good on their escape, police said.

Four of the smash-and-grabs happened on the South Side, including in Evergreen Park, at the following times and locations:

• 1500 block of South Michigan Avenue, Wednesday Dec. 17, 2:27 a.m. (Near South Side)
• 600 block of South Clark Street, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2:37 a.m. (Printers Row)
• 9200 block of South Western Avenue. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3:17 a.m., (Evergreen Park)
• 4700 block of South Lake Park Avenue. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3:40 s.m. (Kenwood)

Forced-entry burglaries were also reported at:

• 7300 block of North Greenview Avenue, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4 a.m. (Rogers Park)
• 500 block of West 18th Street. Saturday, Dec. 20, 4:27 a.m. (Pilsen)
• 3400 block of North Broadway Street. Saturday Dec. 20, 4:46 a.m. (Lakeview)
• 2100 block of North Clark Street, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 4:50 a.m. (Lincoln Park)
• 700 block of south Dearborn Street, Saturday, Dec. 20, 4:50 a.m. (Central)

The suspects are described as two to four black males, between the ages of 16 to 25, wearing all black hoodies, dark pants and black shoes. Police said that purported burglars were wearing black ski masks and gloves.

Anyone with information about the retail burglaries is asked to callChicago police at:

Area 3 detectives at 312-744-8263
Area 1 detectives at 312-747-8384
Area 2 detectives at 312-747-8273
or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference # 25-CWP-03.