Chicago police were searching for multiple suspects who were caught on camera breaking car windows in the city’s Hegewisch neighborhood on the Far South Side.
Video captured by a Ring doorbell camera showed at least three people who went on a window-smashing and theft spree early Tuesday.
“I heard what I thought was thunder, found out this morning it wasn’t thunder,” Kathy Goelz said.
Nearly two dozen cars along Goelz’s block on South Carondolet Avenue near East 132nd Street were struck by thieves overnight.
“Woke up this morning to three of our vehicles being damaged and ravaged through,” another neighbor said.
Surveillance video showed a group moving down the street, some on foot, others in a car, smashing windows. One of the men in the group held what appeared to be a weapon, footage revealed.
In just a matter of minutes, thieves made their way down the street armed with just a tool, popping windows one by one, taking anything they could get their hands on.
Neighbors said what happened was nothing new.
“They have been coming up and down these blocks in Hegewisch trying to open your doors, and this has happened, I can’t even tell you, probably six times in the last month,” one resident said.
Ald. Peter Chico, whose 10th Ward includes the block, said more police officers will be patrolling the area.
“I’ve been in talks with the commander about this incident, and we are looking to collaborate, maybe move officers later in the night to work and put more presence out there,” he said.
While the suspects may not have gotten away with much, what was really stolen was a sense of security.
“It’s very dumb and inconsiderate, they don’t think… It breaks my heart,” Goelz said. “The whole neighborhood’s sense of security.. even with cameras they still did it.”