Alderman Deb Mell's office burglarized

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating after 33rd Ward Alderman Deb Mell's North Side office was burglarized early Monday.

A male suspect threw a rock pr piece of concrete through the glass door of the office at about 3:25 a.m., police said. After gaining entry, the suspect stole a computer tablet, police said.

The suspect then fled the scene and is not in custody, police said.

"We're really glad no one was hurt. It's not a great way to start the morning, but we're going to get to the bottom of it," said Alderman Mell.

The alderman was not in the office at the time of the burglary, but a man who cleans the space, was and heard the front door shatter.

"I am really grateful that he was not harmed or anything happened to him. He was in the back and heard a commotion. I don't want to say anything more. I want to let the officers do their job," Mell said.

Commuters who wait for the Route 80 bus right outside the alderman's office are now missing a handy source of information.

"It's the bus tracker so we can peek in and see how far away the bus is," said commuter Trisha Degg.

Heading off to work, she said she's surprised by the crime, saying break-ins and burglaries are not common in this part of Irving Park.

The front door was replaced with a clean sheet of glass Monday morning at a cost of $250.

Police are reviewing surveillance video from inside the office.

Mell represents the 33rd Ward, which includes the neighborhoods of Albany Park, Avondale, Irving Park, and Ravenswood Manor.