Aggressive Shoplifters Plague Nike Store In Chicago's Bucktown
(CBS) -- A high end athletic store in Bucktown has been a revolving door of sorts -- for thieves.
The Nike running store has been targeted three times this week, CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.
Groups of people in their late teens and early-20s have been casing Bucktown area retail merchants, Ward 2 Ald. Brian Hopkins says. Their recent target is the Nike running store on North Damen.
"They've been terrorizing some of the retail merchants. It has to stop," says Hopkins. "They walk in, they intimidate the staff. Occasionally they'll do a little pushing and shoving just to establish a threat. Then they'll grab merchandise, throw it in their bags, and walk out the door."
Friday was the latest incident there. Not only are the thieves taking merchandise, but they're bragging about it on social media afterward.
Hopkins say retailers should consider improving their surveillance systems and then share video with police.
The alderman says he would like to see funds earmarked for beautification spent on private security details.
Nike said in a statement, "The safety of our employees and consumers is our highest priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement around these incidents and will continue to do so."
