Burglars attempted to steal an ATM from a Morgan Park restaurant on Christmas morning by using chains to pull the doors off the establishment. The incident took place at El Gallo, located at 2547 West 111th Street, around 5:25 a.m. on Wednesday. Despite damaging the ATM, the culprits were unsuccessful in accessing the cash reserve inside.
This brazen burglary occurred just hours after Chicago police issued a warning about a string of similar break-ins in the area. Authorities suspect that the same group of individuals is responsible for all of these crimes. The burglars have been targeting businesses by placing chains on the front doors and using a stolen vehicle to forcefully remove them. Once inside, they are making off with cash registers, ATMs, tobacco products, and other valuables.
A community alert was issued by Area Two detectives, linking a total of 18 burglaries to this pattern of crime. These incidents occurred at various locations, including the 10600 block of South Torrence, the 10700 block of South Wentworth, and the 2300 block of West 111th Street, among others.
Investigators have described the suspects as “multiple offenders wearing dark clothing, including hoodies and masks.” Anyone with information pertaining to these burglaries is urged to contact Area Two at 312-747-8273, referencing crime pattern #24-2-020(b)CA.
This alarming trend of break-ins highlights the need for heightened security measures at businesses in the affected areas. As the investigation continues, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly.
