Chicago police are searching for the thieves behind a series of car thefts and commercial break-ins that have targeted stores and restaurants across the city.
A number of break-ins occurred last week, while other cases were reported from Saturday night into Sunday morning. It is unclear whether the same group is responsible or whether the crimes are part of a broader pattern.
Surveillance video taken at one of the venues, the Copacobana café, showed masked robbers jumping the counter, stealing money and smashing their coffee machine.
“Five different places were robbed, and these people come at 4 a.m. and they keep doing it,” said Roberto Aminero, the café's owner.
Chicago police said two to four masked men attacked nearly 20 businesses last week, including six locations in Lincoln Park.
Among them was the popular Weiner Circle on North Clark Street, known for its hot dogs and eye-catching signs.
The thieves broke into their cash registers but didn't get away with much.
“He just opened it, saw there was nothing, closed it and ran back. And he did that,” said Rajen Eggert of Weiner Circle. “And he just left, I think. I would have at least left with a hot dog.”
On Sunday morning, cameras captured a group of people smashing the windows of a Colombian bakery on Montrose Street.
Chicago police previously warned of an increase in commercial burglaries and car thefts in September. Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said it was a top priority during a recent interview with NBC Chicago.
“Vehicle theft and hijacking, because we know that those vehicles are stolen and used in secondary crimes that lead to violent attacks, robberies, shootings, things like that,” he said.
With burglary crews targeting locations across the city, some Chicagoans are feeling both fear and frustration.
“All around Chicago, there's nothing but smash and grab, like small businesses,” Eggert said. “Yes, they don't deserve it.”
