Rash Of Car Break-Ins Along North Lakefront
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police are warning of a rash of vehicle break-ins along the north lakefront.
Thieves have been operating along the lake between Foster Avenue and Addison Street – a stretch that includes two beaches, Montrose Harbor, and the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course. Montrose Harbor has been the thieves' primary target.
Drivers around Montrose Harbor think the thieves might be getting a little help from paid parking receipts which show exactly how long you plan to be gone.
"It's very easy for someone to sit over here and wait for you to walk away from your car," Angela Northrop said.
Police say the thieves break into parked cars and take anything they can find. If the victims have left credit cards in their cars, the thieves use the credit cards right away, then throw them out, police said.
No description of the thieves is available.
Police advise motorists to lock their vehicles upon parking them, carry only identification and credit cards that are necessary for the day, keep all valuables secured in the trunk or take them along upon leaving the car, and notify others about the thefts.
Fotis Perizes has been the unfortunate target of thieves twice. The first happened while his car was parked at Recreation Drive, where many drivers say their cars have been hit.
After that, Perizes started parking closer to home on Irving Park, but on May 26, he discovered it had happened again. The thieves went through his glove box and made off with his radar detector and phone charger.
"I said to myself, I can't believe it happened again," he told CBS 2's Mai Martinez.
Anyone with information is asked to call Belmont Area police detectives, at (312) 744-8263.
