Burglars target at least 8 businesses in Chicago's Southport Corridor
Burglars struck at least eight different businesses in the Southport Corridor in Chicago's Lakeview community overnight from Monday into Tuesday.
Surveillance video showed a thief taking a cash register at Bombastic Café, at 3732 N. Southport Ave. between Grace Street and Waveland Avenue. The thief was inside for just 20 seconds.
Also hit overnight were Blue Bayou, 3734 N. Southport Ave.; Candyality, 3737 N. Southport Ave.; Kai Sushi, 3819 N. Southport Ave.; Tamed Salon, 3821 N. Southport Ave.; Byron Cleaners, 3855 N. Southport Ave.; and Toons Bar & Grill, 3857 N. Southport Ave.
Surveillance video also captured three suspects walking up to Toons Bar and Grill. One of the suspects used an object to smash the front glass door before entering, emptying the cash drawer, and leaving.
"It's kind of frustrating, actually. You know, we do everything we can to prevent stuff like this," said manager Rich Hagerty.
He says the business was hit earlier this year for its ATM.
The burglary was a first for Candyality, according to owner Nayeli Robertson-Garcia. Thieves broke in and tried to empty the register but left it behind.
Robertson-Garcia says she's grateful for the support that they have received, especially now.
"It's hard, right? Prices are going up for everything, people are shopping less at small businesses and then this happens," she said. The businesses that were hit are all on the east side of Southport Avenue on a two-block stretch between Byron Street and Waveland Avenue. The Music Box Theatre is also located on that stretch, as is the Mercury Theater, a stage venue that has been dormant for some time.
Chicago police News Affairs issued reports on five incidents, one at 1 a.m., the others all between 2:04 and 2:30 a.m. The burglars took property in the first incident, but only smashed glass windows or doors in the others, police said.
Also targeted by burglars early Tuesday morning were three businesses in Elston Plaza at Elston Avenue and Addison Street in the Avondale neighborhood, about two and a quarter miles to the west.
A manager at an O'Reilly's Auto Parts said thieves got away with cash.
Chesaree Rollins, the owner of Chesa's Bistro and Bar, says thieves smashed windows and took an empty cash register.
"It is really disheartening in trying to be a part of a community and having people just come and just take, you know, what you've built," she said.
No arrests were made as of Tuesday afternoon. It was not immediately learned whether police believe the Lakeview and Avondale burglaries are related.
