3rd Foot Locker store targeted by crash-and-grab thieves within 1 week, Chicago police say
Burglars also used a Jeep to smash into the same Foot Locker back in August 2024.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Crash-and-grab thieves targeted a South Side Foot Locker on Sunday morning, Chicago police said.
This comes after crash-and-grab thieves recently targeted two other Foot Locker stores in Chicago. CPD would not say whether the three crimes are connected.
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Police said Sunday's break-in and burglary happened in the 3300-block of South Martin Luther King Drive just after 6 a.m.
A suspect drove a Jeep SUV through the business' front entrance, police said. A group of thieves then got out of the SUV and took property from inside, specifically track suits and Nike Air Jordans.
The suspects got back into the SUV and fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.
Burglars also used a Jeep to smash into the Foot Locker on South Martin Luther King Drive back in August 2024.
The Foot Locker location remained closed Sunday and it was unclear when they would reopen.
"They done did a smash and grab at Foot Locker," a disappointed customer said.
Sunday afternoon, a steady stream of Foot Locker customers were left stunned after finding out the store was closed following an early morning crash-and-grab theft.
"I'm shocked and I'm disappointed at the same time, because this neighborhood used to be a very good neighborhood," shopper Samantha McCorkle said.
"They won't be able to stay in business because they keep losing money because of the situation and if they keep moving, and if they keep losing money, that means they're gonna leave and we're gonna lose the stuff we needed in our neighborhood," shopper Lurscine Williams said.
Other businesses in the area are frustrated and concerned they could be next.
"The whole neighborhood it's just sick of people coming into the neighborhood and acting like they can come ravage your stores take what they want to take," City Fashions store manager Ralph Coates said. "They try to make you feel like you're wrong for defending your property."
Chicago police have not said if the recent break-ins at different Foot Locker stores are connected. People who live and work near the most recent crime scene said they'll lose more than just their sense of security if the thefts continue.
"I think overall it's really negative," resident Mandisa Upton said. "We only have a few places that we can a lot of malls and malls have gone down. They have not replaced them so I think we're taking away from our own."
It's unclear if the store's security cameras captured the crime.
There is no one in custody, and Area One detectives are investigating.
Police did not immediately provide further information.
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