CHICAGO – Police are looking for the suspects responsible for stealing from a sportswear store in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood after using a chain hooked up to an SUV to break the security shutters.
Once they were able to get under the gate, the suspects allegedly smashed windows to get into the store, and continued to rotate in and out, stealing clothing, shoes, and a cash register; a crime that lasted for close to 16 minutes before officers arrived.
According to the Chicago Police Department, detectives are investigating at least two overnight break-ins at retail stores on the South Side, including this one, and another at a Foot Locker in the 3300 block of South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Late Friday night, police said they were investigating the two business burglaries as being possibly connected.
Officers said during each incident, the individuals responsible used a stolen car to gain entry into the business.
J Bees in the 200 block of East 47th was the first of the two hit by thieves.
Surveillance video from the store shows suspects in two SUVs pull up around 4:48 a.m. After repositioning the SUV multiple times, the suspects pulled away the shutters using a chain, leaving the security gate significantly damaged.
For the next 13 minutes, the suspects went in and out of the store, loading stolen items into two vehicles. During that time, a handful of vehicles, including a CTA bus, as well as pedestrians were on video passing through the area, though it isn’t clear if the response for a burglary in progress was prompted by a call from any passerby.
At around 5:04 a.m., officers can be seen arriving on the scene and tailing one of the two SUVs southbound on South Prairie Avenue, while the other took off westbound on East 47th. A female, who arrived shortly after the rest of the group, is shown running away and out of the camera view at the same time.
It is not clear how long officers followed the suspect SUV.
Store management said the crime cost them thousands in damage and left behind a mess they were met with early Friday morning. They are grateful everyone is okay, but said there was some blood left behind, so it is not clear whether any of the suspects were injured.
“Inside was terrible; glass everywhere, mannequins were knocked down. Of course, the apparel taken off the mannequin, you know, just no care in the world. No care in the world,” Robert Jemison said.
Jemison, a floor manager for J Bees, said they really care about the community and giving back to their customers.
“That’s the most hurtful part, knowing in the back of your mind, what if this is one of our customers that is doing these things? Very unfortunate, very sad about it,” Jemison said. “It’s unfair to know that it could be potentially someone we know.”
The store’s owner said they have not experienced anything like this before at their Grand Boulevard location. His employees praised the work he does for their team and the community and said they are disappointed this hit close to home for all of them.
“They don’t have to resolve to those type of actions because at the end of the day when they come in here, we take care of them,” said Jemison.
“That’s bad for the community that people are just doing stuff like this,” Daniel Harris added. “You ask anybody for something and they’re going to give it to you.”
Store employees said the community, particularly businesses and their owners in the area, are tight-knit and look out for each other. They said a crime like this is more than just a monetary loss for a business.
“This is how we make our money. This is how we eat. This is how we feed our families, so it’s deeper than what it looks like,” Jemison said. “I just want to pray for everybody, you know, and that’s it.”
The team said they won’t let this deter them from continuing to do what they love and they hope those responsible will reconsider their actions.
“We’re happy every time we open J Bees up. We are happy. We’re happy with our customers and everything,” said Harris.
Police have not announced any arrests in this crime, or the crash-and-grab that occurred at Foot Locker around 6:50 a.m. Friday.
According to CPD, a group of suspects crashed an SUV into the business before stealing merchandise and taking off in an unknown direction.
A description of suspects in either incident has not been released, though surveillance video at J Bees appeared to show at least four males and one female involved.
Area One detectives are investigating both incidents and anyone with information is encouraged to give them a call at 312-747-8380.
Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.