Chicago, Illinois: 13 Lincoln Park Businesses Hit in Early Morning Break-Ins on Clark Street

Thirteen businesses in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood were broken into early Tuesday morning, and police said a group of men traveling in a white vehicle smashed glass doors and windows along North Clark Street before fleeing with cash registers taken from several shops.

Police said the break-ins happened around 3:56 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, in the 2400 and 2500 blocks of North Clark Street, between Fullerton Parkway and Deming Place. The group got out of the white vehicle, broke the glass at the businesses, and then returned to the vehicle and drove eastbound, according to police.

The businesses that were hit

Police listed the businesses targeted as Sultan's Market, Kala Modern Greek, CM Chicken, Doner 97, The Other Side Bar, Little Bit Cleaner, Top Cleaners, UPS, Great Clips, Moonbowls, Molly's Cupcakes, Aloha Eats and Epic Snack Shack. Cash registers were removed from several businesses, and police said a complete list of what was stolen was not available.

By later on Tuesday, several storefronts on the corridor had boarded or repaired windows as owners cleaned up and counted the damage. No injuries were reported in the reports reviewed, and no arrests had been made.

Police response and the alderman's warning

Area Three detectives are investigating, and Alderman Timmy Knudsen, who represents the 43rd Ward, said his office is working with Chicago police and local business groups after the break-ins. Knudsen said police have placed the corridor under special attention and are running active burglary missions with dedicated officers monitoring the area.

Knudsen called the break-ins senseless crimes and said most businesses do not keep cash on site, so break-ins leave owners with costly repairs and timely clean up. He said he will keep pressing for a sustained patrol on Clark Street and for public safety cameras where gaps in coverage are found, and that his office will work with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce on other ways to protect the corridor. He also asked neighbors to keep showing up for Clark Street businesses this week.

Anyone with video or information is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit a tip at chicagopolice.org/submit-a-tip, and anyone who sees a crime in progress should call 911. Business owners can contact Knudsen's office at 773-348-9500 for support.