Burglars Breaking Into Area Retail Stores, Police Say

Police are urging residents to be particularly vigilant in the wake of a rash of burglaries that have been reported the area.

Burglars are forcing their way into retail stores "while closed for business and taking proceeds," police said in an alert issued to those in the city's 18th policing district Thursday afternoon.

All three incidents included in the alert were reported south of Lincoln Park's borders in the 100 block of East Elm Street, just east of the Clark and Division Red Line stop and close to the lake. The thief, or thieves, struck the trio of stores on April 13.

"These incidents have occurred during late evening into early morning hours," police said.

Lincoln Park is covered by parts of the 18th and 19th Chicago Police districts. Although none of the burglaries included in investigators' recent alert occurred within the neighborhood's boundaries, they were within those of the 18th district where an uptick in burglaries was also reported in March.

Police are reminding residents to:

• Keep the perimeter of your property well lighted.
• Report suspicious activity immediately.
• Keep doors and windows secured.
• Immediately repair any broken windows, doors or locks.
• Remember to call police immediately if you are a victim. Don't touch anything.
• Request contact information if approached by a witness to a crime.

If you have any information about the recent crimes, Contact the Bureau of Detectives by calling 312-747-8384.

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