Chicago Police Issue Warning After Burglars Target High-End Stores
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thieves are targeting some of Chicago's ritziest retail stores, smashing into them and grabbing what they want. Police have issued a warning about the trend.
The cops say they're reselling the stuff often with buyers in China and the Middle East and the crimes are stretching way beyond North Michigan avenue.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports tiny pieces of shattered glass remain outside the Patagonia store at 1800 North Clybourn. CBS 2 has been told burglars used a wrench to break through the front glass and swipe a couple of racks full of $280 down sweaters.
The burglary happened on Friday at 6:30 a.m. and many neighbors who live nearby are just hearing about it.
"It's shocking because we've lived here for three years, we consider it to be a very safe neighborhood," said Rebecca Ryerson.
"The items that have been taken include high end purses high-end clothing, high-end items, electronics," said Chicago Police Sergeant Edward Wodnicki.
Chicago Police are now warning businesses because they're seeing patterns arise after four hits at four stores in just the past week.
"They're high end retail stores, they all occur on midnights and they all require breaking the front glass," said Sgt. Wodnicki.
A $1,500 purse dropped to the ground - left behind in the latest burglary Monday morning at the Luxury Garage Sale consignment store. Police say thieves broke in there three times in the past six months or so.
"The fact that we have been able to recover some forensics evidence at our scenes leads us to believe this is not some high-end movie quality crew," said Sgt. Wodnicki.
Friday's stolen loot could be worth a hundred thousand dollars. That, plus other similarities across the cases point to the possibility of one or more criminal crews repeating their performance.
Police say there are groups of up to five people breaking in each time. They were seen riding in a mid-90's brown or gold Cadillac, maroon or red minivans. But the surveillance video hasn't been clear enough to pin down identities or license plates.
