Chicago police investigating smash-and-grab burglaries at 2 Northwest Side businesses: VIDEO
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating two smash-and-grab burglaries within a mile of each other on the city's Northwest Side Friday morning. The business are now trying to recover from the crimes.
During one of the burglaries, a delivery driver, who is a concealed-carry holder, was dropping off products at a plumbing business nearby and took matters into his own hands to protect himself from the offenders breaking in.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The first burglary occurred at the eRepair shop in the 1700-block of West North Avenue at about 3:01 a.m.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Police said four male suspects broke the front glass window of the business, made entry and removed items. Surveillance video shows the suspects smash their way in and make their way around the business, stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
They then got into a waiting black SUV, possible a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and fled eastbound, police said.
Sam is the owner of the eRepair shop and said the suspects made off with different customer goods that he said he's going to have to pay to replace.
"They got a lot of electronics... iPads, iPhones, you name it," he said.
Sam said this isn't the first time his store's been broken into. This is the third time his business has been burglarized in the last couple of years. The thieves left a damaging and heart-wrenching mess for Sam to clean up.
"I'm heartbroken," he said. "This is my business, my bread and butter, my baby, you know? I've been here for about ten years now and my goal is to help serve the community."
Just a mile down the road, near Elston and Webster, surveillance video from a plumbing supply business shows a vehicle circling the area before the offenders get out and break in.
Police said the offenders started shooting as a delivery driver was on site, and that driver had a weapon as a concealed-carry holder.
He shot back at them. Police said the delivery driver with the CCL was not injured. It's not clear if any of the offenders were hurt though, as police said they took off in a sedan.
A man who works nearby said this type of violence is becoming too common and has him worried for his own safety.
"I don't think our politicians are doing much about it with all the shooting that's going on," Brian Brown said.
Police said no one has been arrested for either of those incidents, and it's not clear at this time if both burglaries are connected to the same suspects. Area Five detectives are investigating.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
