Chicago police are searching for the thieves behind a series of carjackings and business break-ins targeting stores and restaurants across the city.
A number of break-ins took place last week, while others were reported overnight from Saturday into Sunday morning. It is not clear whether the same group is responsible or whether the crimes are part of a larger pattern.
Surveillance video captured at one location, the Copacubana Café, showed masked burglars jumping on the counter, stealing money and smashing their coffee machine.
“Five different places have been robbed, and these people come at four in the morning and they keep doing it,” said Roberto Ameneiro, of the cafe.
Two to four masked men hit nearly 20 businesses last week, including a half-dozen locations in Lincoln Park, Chicago police said.
Among them was the iconic Weiner’s Circle on North Clark Street, known for its hot dogs and eye-catching signs.
The thieves broke into their cash registers but were unable to get much.
“He just opened it, saw there was nothing, closed it and ran back. And he did,” said Ragen Eggert of Weiner’s Circle. “And he just left, I guess. I would have at least left with a hot dog.”
Sunday morning, cameras captured a group smashing the windows of a Colombian bakery on Montrose Avenue.
Chicago police previously warned of a surge in commercial burglaries and carjackings in September. Chicago Police Superintendent. Larry Snelling said it was a top priority during a recent interview with NBC Chicago.
“Vehicle thefts and hijackings, because we know these vehicles are stolen and used in secondary crimes that lead to violent attacks, robberies, shootings, things of that nature,” he said.
As heist crews target locations across the city, some Chicagoans are both frightened and frustrated.
“Everywhere in Chicago, it’s literally just smash and grab, like small businesses,” Eggert said. “Yeah, they don’t deserve this.”
