Investigators estimated that 30 to 50 houses have been hit in Cook, Will, DuPage and Lake counties. The robberies took place from February 2011 to last January. The stolen property includes jewelry, guns and even a Walter Payton autographed helmet.
Officials say four suspects were taken into custody over a month ago after an investigation.
"In late January the surveillance team observed these gentlemen commit a burglary in Addison, Illinois, DuPage County and followed them to the area of the 4200 block of Irving Park in Chicago where they affected an arrest," Park Ridge Police Cmdr. Lou Jogmen said.
All 3,000 items were recovered from that Chicago apartment.
The men have only been charged in one of the burglaries.
