Chicago police investigating at least 10 overnight business break-ins, possible burglaries | Video

Ravenswood sushi bar broken into for 2nd time this year, owner says
Friday, May 17, 2024
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating at least 10 business break-ins and possible burglaries that took place early Friday morning across the city.

The first took place just after midnight in the 7800-block of South Western Avenue on the city's South Side, Chicago police said.
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Police responded to a burglary alarm at a restaurant, and found the front glass door had been damaged. A cash register was taken, police said.

The next took place in the 4100-block of South Ashland Avenue just before 1:45 a.m. in the city's Back of the Yards neighborhood.

Police responded to a burglary alarm at a restaurant, and found the front glass door had been damaged. Money may have been taken from the register, police said.



The next took place in the 2600-block of South Halsted Street just minutes later in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood.
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Police responded to a burglary alarm at a café, and found the front glass door had been damaged. Money was taken, police said.

And just minutes after that, another took place in the 2600-block of South Halsted. Police responded to a burglary alarm at Tai Pei Cafe, and found the front glass door had been damaged. Money was taken from the register, police said.

"We try to do our business and then make sure everything is smooth, but they just keep coming," said manager Vicky Mei.

At 3:05 a.m., police responded to the 1700-block of West Wilson Avenue in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood for a burglary alarm at Fin Sushi Bar. Police said a side glass window had been damaged, and a register had been tampered with.



The sushi bar's owner said four suspects were captured on surveillance video breaking in.

She said they tried to find cash, but didn't end up taking anything.

The owner, who did not want to be identified, said this isn't the first time this has happened.

"In the past, it's just like a couple times in like 13 years, but, I mean, this year it's the second time already," she said.

The restaurant still planned to be open on Friday.



And the owner said she's not letting the crime get her down.

"It is like my child," the owner said.

Although nothing was taken, the suspects left a mess to clean up.

Just before 3:30 a.m., police saw the front glass door of Urban Pooch Canine Life Center, in the 4500-block of North Ravenswood Avenue had been shattered.

Four suspects were also caught on camera breaking into the business.



"They took a sledgehammer; they smashed through. There were four people with masks and gloves on," said Ed Kaczmarek, co-founder of Urban Pooch.

He said the suspects found the register and slammed it on the ground, stealing $300 in cash. They were in and out in less than five minutes.

"This was a random thing. It had nothing to do with us or where we're located. The reality is this area is still relatively safe," Kaczmarek said.

Kaczmarek said he's using the crime as fuel to work with community leaders to discuss ways to mitigate break-ins just like this from happening elsewhere.

"I think what this does is it gives us a little more power to work even harder in the community to say, 'Is there anything more we can do?'" Kaczmarek said.
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No one is in custody, and it was not immediately clear if the incidents were related.

Chicago police are investigating.

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