Chicago police are searching for the thieves behind a series of carjackings and commercial break-ins targeting stores and restaurants across the city.
A number of break-ins took place last week around, while others were reported Saturday night into Sunday morning. It is unclear whether the same group is responsible or whether the crimes are part of a wider pattern.
Surveillance video taken at one location, the Copacubana Café, showed masked burglars jumping the counter, stealing cash and smashing their coffee machine.
“Five different places were robbed, and these people come at four in the morning, and they keep doing it,” said the cafe’s Roberto Ameneiro.
Two to four masked men hit nearly 20 businesses last week, including half a dozen locations in Lincoln Park, Chicago police said.
Among them was the iconic Weiner’s Circle on North Clark Street, known for its hot dogs and catchy signs.
Thieves broke into their cash registers but didn’t get away with much.
“He just opened it, he saw there was nothing, closed it and ran to the back. And did it,” said Ragen Eggert with Weiner’s circle. “And he’s just gone, I guess. At least I’d have left with a sausage.”
On Sunday morning, cameras caught a group smashing windows at a Columbian bakery on Montrose Avenue.
Chicago police previously warned of an increase in commercial burglaries and carjackings in September. Chicago Police Chief. Larry Snelling said it was a top priority during a recent sit-down interview with NBC Chicago.
“Vehicle thefts and hijackings, because we know these vehicles are stolen and used in secondary crimes that lead to violent attacks, robberies, shootings, things of that nature,” he said.
With robbery teams targeting locations across the city, some Chicagoans are both terrified and frustrated.
“All over Chicago, it’s literally nothing but smash and grabs, like the small businesses,” Eggert said. “Yeah, they don’t deserve that.”