On Thursday, business owners and managers across Chicago woke up to find glass broken and merchandise stolen from several stores.
At least three liquor stores, a cosmetics store and a clothing store were robbed between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
It happened in Old Town, Lincoln Park, the Southport Corridor and the West Loop.
“I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I keep having bad dreams. We need help from the city, especially the city leadership,” said Benjamin Purcarilli, owner of Galleria Liquors.
Galleria Liquors in the Southport Corridor has had four break-ins this month. He said his location in Old Town on Wells Street has also been targeted several times in the past few weeks.
“It's just really disheartening to see this,” said Galleria Liquors manager Mark Bartman. “Unless we do something about it, this problem is going to run rampant. The mayor we put in office… I hope you do your best.” Start tackling these crimes against property. ”
NBC Chicago reached out to the mayor's office for comment, but the case was referred back to CPD.
Surveillance video from the Southport Corridor shows the suspects using a brick to break into a glass door. For the next six minutes, groups of people carrying high-end alcohol and cigarettes can be seen entering and exiting a red car parked outside the store.
Video showed a Chicago police patrol car pulling up behind the suspects' car as the robbers tried to leave. However, no one is in custody. CPD has not commented on the situation.
The crime didn't stop at Galleria Liquors. Another liquor store in Lincoln Park was broken into, as well as a Sephora in the Southport Corridor and a clothing store in the West Loop.
“It's alarming,” said Krista Myers, owner of nearby Krista K Boutique. “The people who do this kind of thing seem to think there are no consequences…If they can keep doing it without consequences, things like this will continue to happen.” ”
