Early Wednesday morning, a crew of three or four men stole a red Kia sedan in the south suburbs and drove north to the Northwest Side, where they smashed windows at at least 23 businesses in Portage Park, Avondale, Logan Square and Wicker Park. Police confirmed the theft and the subsequent vandalism, noting that the burglars left most registers empty and took little cash.
Business owners describe the damage
At Migos Fine Foods (5044 W. Montrose Ave.) owner‑chef Azazi Morsi woke around 6 a.m. to find the front door shattered and the electronic register display broken. “I would have rather just written these guys a $500 check,” Morsi said, adding that he spent 17 hours sourcing glass replacement. He estimates repairs will exceed $1,000.
Lucky Grill (4454 N. Milwaukee Ave.) owner Edgar Tintin also reported a shattered front door. “I’m just happy I was able to get him away,” he said, noting that repair costs ran into the thousands. Bacci Pizzeria (4367 N. Milwaukee Ave.) manager Sergio Lopez said the crew only managed to “steal change” after breaking a front window, but the incident was the first of its kind in his 20‑year tenure.
Community response and safety measures
Portage Park Chamber of Commerce president Nina Grenke‑Kosinski praised local owners for keeping cash registers empty, a practice that limited thieves’ gains. “They are frustrated because many of these businesses are already struggling,” she said, urging owners to keep lights on overnight as a deterrent.
City Alderman Jim Gardiner (45th) used his Thursday newsletter to call on Northwest Side residents to support the affected shops, writing, “Whether you purchase a gift, enjoy a meal, or recommend a favorite store to a neighbor, your support makes a difference.” He is helping organize a business‑safety meeting on Oct. 28 at the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.) with police and community leaders.
Impact on other neighborhoods
Logan Square businesses along Milwaukee Avenue, including the Crab Pad (2529 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Taco Maya and Jeni’s Ice Cream, also suffered broken doors and stolen equipment. Owner Theresa Tran estimates damage at over $5,000, noting that thieves took only a few pennies from the cash register.
In Avondale, coffee‑shop Terra (3343 W. Belmont Ave.) was broken into, causing about $600 in damage and emotional trauma for employee Jocelyn Telles. She said the incident will require staffing two employees at all times, increasing labor costs for the newly opened cafe.
Calls for additional resources
Business owners across the affected neighborhoods are urging the city to provide grants or financial assistance for burglary victims. “When you hold people accountable financially, things start to change,” Telles said.
Police continue to investigate the theft of the Kia sedan and the subsequent break‑ins. Detectives say the suspects originated from the south suburbs, a pattern that is unusual for the Northwest Side.
Looking ahead
The upcoming safety meeting aims to share best practices, such as improved lighting, security cameras, and community watch efforts. Organizers hope the gathering will help small businesses recover and prevent future incidents.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
