Police warn of series of Northwest Side business burglaries

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning Northwest Side residents after a string of burglaries were reported at area businesses.

Police say someone is breaking windows or prying open doors to get inside and get away with cash.

One burglary occurred around 1:30 a.m. Monday at the Essence Medical Spa and Wellness Center on North Kinzua, police said. Video surveillance and DNA the burglar left behind may help police make an arrest, officials said.

A camera focused on the side door at Essence spa shows someone smashing the glass and walking inside. The suspect then ransacked the business and made off with about $200 from the cash register, police said.

"We're just thankful that nobody got hurt in the process. That's our main concern. Everything else can be taken care of," said Miriam Selewa, a spa employee.

But it appears the thief was injured while breaking the glass, as an employee says there was blood all over the business.

Police say that could help investigators identify the burglar's DNA.

"Our community is such a good community and we would not want anything or anybody to have to go through what we went through," Selewa said.

Besides the break-in at the spa, police said there have been six other burglaries reported in the same area, which began on Christmas Eve.

The latest happened Tuesday.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call Chicago police.