Chicago police: Burglars target smoke shops

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Burglars targeted four smoke shops on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Chicago police said.

Surveillance video from Vape Up Smoke Shop in the 2400-block of North Milwaukee avenue shows three men hop out of a white vehicle and break the glass.

The owner of the shop said the burglary is very upsetting.

"It's just really disgraceful," he said. "You open up a business, try to build something, try to make something for yourself and for your family and you have unfortunate circumstances like this."

A similar pattern played out at two other smoke shops and a dispensary.

Another burglary took place at a smoke shop in the 5600-block of West Roosevelt Road at about 11:03 p.m.

Police said three male suspects wearing hoodies got out of a white Kia SUV and shattered the front glass door of a smoke shop.

The suspects fled with merchandise and a cash drawer, police said.

A third burglary took place in the 600-block of West Roosevelt Road at about 12:57 a.m. as police said two male suspects in hoodies got out of a white Kia SUV and shattered the front glass of a smoke shop

Police said the suspects fled with an unknown amount of merchandise.

A fourth burglary took place at a smoke shop in the 4800-block of West Foster Avenue at Urban City Smoke Shop. The owner said it's the third time this year his store has been broken into.

Police said two male suspects shattered the front glass of the shop and fled with merchandise and a cash drawer.

"It sets me back because I'm running out of money. Business is actually slow right now," said Richard Karamian, owner of Urban City Smoke Shop.

Karamian said he's losing business and profit because of the crimes, which makes a potential move to the suburbs seem more appealing.

"I've got to dish out a lot of money to pay for the window, to get a new register to get more merchandise. It's just a hassle right now," he said.

Police have not said if the burglaries are linked. No one is in custody in connection with the burglaries.

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