Burglars target Austin homes, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning residents of Chicago's Austin neighborhood about a string of burglaries in the last month.

Authorities said in each case, a burglar forced their way into the homes by kicking the back door in and stole property from inside.

Four homes were broken into in February: One in the 5200-block of West Congress Parkway around 10:40 a.m. on Feb. 2, a second in the 100-block of South Leamington Avenue between 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, a third in the 4900-block of West Washington Boulevard between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 24 and a fourth in the 100-block of South Leamington Avenue at an unknown time between Feb. 22 and Feb. 25.

Police said in one of the incidents, an African American man between 5 ft. 6 in. and 5 ft. 8 in. tall and between 170 and 190 lbs. was seen kicking at a rear door of a victim's home.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.