Thieves Targeting Unoccupied Vehicles With Engines Running In Uptown And On North Side

Please, neighbors, use your street smarts and don't leave your car running unless you are sitting in the driver's seat.

"Community Alert -- Motor Vehicle Thefts
19th District (Town Hall)

About the Crime: 
This alert gives notice of recent Motor Vehicle Thefts that have occurred in the 19th District. In each incident, the offender(s) wait until the victims leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running before getting in and driving away. Vehicles are being left running and unattended while victims are patronizing stores, paying for gas, delivering goods, or warming up their vehicles. Incidents are occurring during daytime hours on and around Irving Park Road. The suspects drive a dark colored sedan.

Incident times and locations are listed below:

• 1400 Block of West Irving Park on January 14, 2018 at 4:45pm.
• 1300 Block of West Irving Park on February 5, 2018 at 5:45pm.
• 4100 Block of North Kenmore on February 7, 2018 at 5:00pm.
• 4000 Block of North Kenmore on February 9, 2018 at 1:15pm.
• 700 Block of West Irving Park on February 11, 2018 at 8:45am."

In a subsequent community alert, the same thing is happening around Lincoln Avenue, and the suspects are driving a dark colored sedan:

• "1100 Block of West Diversey on January 16, 2018 at 8:00pm.
• 3900 Block of North Lincoln on January 20, 2018 at 5:30pm.
• 2400 Block of North Halsted on January 21, 2018 at 7:00pm.
• 1000 Block of North Altgeld on January 25, 2018 at 7:00pm.
• 3200 Block of North Southport on February 02, 2018 at 7:45am.
• 2700 Block of North Lincoln on February 3, 2018 at 8:35pm.
• 3300 Block of North Lincoln on February 4, 2018 at 6:15pm.
• 4000 Block of North Lincoln on February 5, 2018 at 6:15pm.
• 2900 Block of North Lincoln on February 8, 2018 at 8:00pm.
• 3600 Block of North Ashland on February 9, 2018 at 11:15pm.

What you can do:

• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Report suspicious activity immediately
• Never leave you vehicle running and unattended
• Remember any unique physical characteristics (i.e., scars, limp, acne, teeth)
• Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information
• Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible

If you have any information,  contact the Bureau of Detectives – Area North at (312) 744-8263"