Thieves break into vehicles at 15 locations in O'Hare area, Chicago police warn

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police issued a warning Saturday after a group of suspects damaged and stole from vehicles at over a dozen locations on the Northwest Side.

The crimes happened in the early morning hours Saturday in the O'Hare, Oriole Park and Norwood Park East and West neighborhoods, Chicago police said.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

This crime spree was widespread, with thieves even targeting a Chicago police officer's vehicle. ABC7 noticed mostly trucks, some of them with paraphernalia supporting law enforcement, were broken into. At least two hotel parking lots were targeted, also.

"Paying $32 to park, and then someone can break into your car and you're spending more money getting your window fixed," said Christine Jette, who is visiting Chicago from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Shards of broken glass outside of the SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare in the 8100 block of West Higgins Road are why Jette and her family are taking precaution to make sure their trip from Cincinnati doesn't end up shattered, too.

"Is it safe to even be here with my car?" Jette said. "Read the sign, because they are not responsible for nothing that's taken, or not even your window. You'll be paying for that, too."

SEE ALSO | Trump calls Tesla dealership vandals terrorists, compares actions to Jan. 6

"Well, I came outside, I seen about, maybe, more than 10 cars with their windows bust out and glass on the floor," Jette said. "So, first thing I did was check to see if my car was okay, and it was, so I just made sure I got everything out my car, because I didn't want to be a victim of it."

The incident in the SpringHill Suites parking lot came as dozens of vehicles, reportedly more than 20 mostly trucks, were broken into overnight and early Saturday morning.

According to investigators, a group of four to five suspects hop out of a blue car before smashing a window, ransacking the vehicle and, in some cases, getting away with valuables.

ABC7 spoke to some victims off camera, one of them a Chicago police officer who was targeted.

Detectives were back out hours later, hoping to gather more clues to catch the culprits.

"We all work for what we get, so I would just say get a job," Jette said. "Find you something safe to do."

CPD said the criminal damage and thefts to vehicles happened at the following locations:

-7700 block of W. Higgins Rd.
-8100 block of W. Higgins Rd.
-8500 block of W. Higgins Rd.
-5600 block of N. Cumberland Ave.
-7500 block of W. Balmoral Ave.
-7600 block of W. Foster Ave.
-7700 block of W. Berwyn Ave.
-7700 block of W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
-7700 block of W. Gregory St.
-5200 block of N. Oriole Ave.
-5300 block of N. Oriole Ave.
-5300 block of N. Overhill Ave.
-6000 block of W. Rosedale Ave.
-7700 block of W. Rosedale Ave.
-7800 block of W. Rosedale Ave.

Chicago police would not say what was stolen, or why mostly trucks seemed to be targeted. So far, no one has been arrested.

Area Five detectives continue to investigate.

No further information was immediately available.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood