Burglar hit 4 Pilsen businesses in 1 night, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police said a burglar hit four businesses in one Southwest Side neighborhood Monday night. Authorities said that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Police gathered surveillance video from businesses along 18th Street in the city's Pilsen neighborhood. They think they have a good idea of who they are looking for.

Surveillance video from inside Pilsen Breakfast and Grill shows the suspect is in no hurry. He seemed to take his time and know where to go.

Dia De Los Tamales, Café Jumping Bean and Memo's Hot Dogs were also a target. Gerardo Garza, who owns Memo's, said the man flipped over his register, but didn't get away with much.

"There's substantial property damage. There's more than one place that he's hit so far. It does alarm people, because a lot of the business have the managers or the owners of the buildings themselves live right over the business," Garza said.

Vince Sanchez, 25th Ward Chief of Staff, asked residents to report anything suspicious.

"It appears the pattern is roughly around 1:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. until about 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. But it's not consistent," Sanchez said.

He also said the suspect could be responsible for about 14 break-ins in the past month - and then there are additional ones people haven't reported.

Sanchez said police will stop by the area at different times Wednesday to try to establish his pattern.