Thieves target 5 businesses on Northwest Side; video shows suspects take thousands in cash
Alderwoman says CPD adjusting patrol schedules after incidents
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Burglars targeted five businesses on the city's Northwest Side Wednesday morning.
Business owners have been on edge from what feels like constant, repeated break-ins and now the alderwoman representing the neighborhood said police are increasing their overnight patrols.
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"My office is working closely with the 17th Police District Commander and our local Chamber of Commerce to develop solutions while investigating these crimes to the fullest extent," said 33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez.
From Angelo's Wine Bar in Albany Park to Mima's Taste of Cuba in Irving Park, business owners are getting tired of the trend.
Angelo's Wine Bar near West Montrose Avenue and Whipple Street wasted no time getting new glass installed on their front door, after thieves smashed their way in around 4 a.m.
Adel Fakhoury owns the Angelo's Wine Bar building.
"Somebody's got to put a stop to this because it's making the business owners very hard to survive," Fakhoury said.
This is the first time the business has ever been burglarized.
Fakhoury said officers woke him up around 4 a.m. to let him know the restaurant was hit by criminals.
"It's disgusting. I mean it's happening over and over, not just here: all over the city. Hopefully someone puts a stop to this," Fakhoury said.
Surveillance video shows the swift break-in, with the thieves going straight for any cash they could find behind the bar.
Chicago police said Angelo's is one of five Northwest Side businesses that was broken into Wednesday morning.
Investigators have not linked the break-ins, but the narratives are similar.
Thieves smashed their way in and stole money, a cash register or an ATM, before driving off in just minutes.
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"It's frustrating," the owner of Mima's Taste of Cuba said. "You pay your taxes; you're trying to do the right thing out here, and the criminals just keep breaking into small businesses."
Mima's Taste of Cuba, in the 2900-block of West Irving Park Road, was also victim to a burglary.
Surveillance cameras captured the moments hooded criminals ransacked the restaurant and took thousands of dollars in cash.
The owner, who wanted to be identified only as Billy, said he watched it all play out live on his phone from home.
"It's frustrating, it's defeating. I said it before. You pay your taxes, you try to do the right thing and criminals just keep doing everything," he said.
The owner of the Cuban restaurant said that a neighboring Serbian restaurant, called Cafe Beograd, was also hit on Wednesday.
"After they hit my register, you can see them running across the street and breaking into Beograd and doing the same thing: breaking their window with a hammer," Billy said.
He said this is the second time this year he's had a break-in.
Three suspects were seen driving off in a black car. No one is in custody.
Garien Gatewood, the deputy mayor of community safety, was asked about the recent rash of smash-and-grabs.
Gatewood said, while robberies have decreased because of a change in approach by CPD, crime-fighting strategies continue to evolve.
"We have to do a better job of working hand-in-hand with the business community. And that's not just on CPD. That's on the entire body of the government. We all have to work together. It's not just about how we protect downtown. It's how we protect all of the city," Gatewood said.
Chicago police confirmed the following break-ins on Wednesday:
- 1900-block of West Montrose at 3:25 a.m.
- 3000-block of West Montrose at 4:02 a.m.
- 7500-block of West Irving Park Road at 3:28 a.m.
- 2900-block of West Irving Park Rd at 3:57 a.m. and 4 a.m.
In a letter to residents, 33rd Ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez said there has been an increase in local business burglaries across the area over the past few weeks.
"I am very sorry to hear the stories of hardship and stress these robberies have caused business owners in the ward," the letter said.
She said her office is working closely with CPD and the local chamber of commerce to develop solutions, and investigate the crimes.
The 35th and 30th wards are also developing responses to the burglary spree, she said.
CPD will be adjusting patrol schedules and increasing midnight-hour patrols in key areas to help deter criminal activity, according to Rodriguez Sanchez.
SUBO Filipino Kitchen, Wabi Sabi Ramen and Bokeh Bar were the other businesses burglarized, she said.
Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call 312-742-4410.
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