Burglar targeting laundry machines in South Side apartment buildings, police warn

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A burglar is going after coins in laundry machines in South Side apartment buildings, police warned on Thursday.

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Police said there have been at least eight burglaries throughout August at buildings in the Oakland, Bronzeville and Hyde Park neighborhoods.

In each incident, the suspect forces doors open to get inside before stealing coins from vending and laundry machines.

The burglaries have happened at the following times and locations:

• 3600-block of South Lake Park Ave. between Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Aug. 6 at noon.


• 3600-block of South Lake Park Ave. on Aug. 9 at 5:30 a.m.


• 3600-block of South Lake Park Ave. on Aug. 10 at 5:20 a.m.


• 1000-block of East 41st Pl. on Aug. 11 at 4:20 a.m.


• 1000-block of East 41st Pl. on Aug. 15 at 5:20 a.m.


• 400-block of East 43rd St. on Aug. 23 at 6:30 a.m.


• 1000-block of East 41st Pl. on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m.


• 5200-block of South Blackstone Ave. on Aug. 29, at 12:15 a.m.

The suspect is described as a man between 25 and 35 years old who is about 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-9 and weighs 160-175 pounds.

Police asked anyone with information to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #P25-1-088C.

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