Crash-and-grab burglars hit Wicker Park shop; 5th clothing store hit in days, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thieves targeted a Wicker Park store early Saturday in at least the fifth crash-and-grab in Chicago in the last four days.

It happened at around 4:57 a.m. at the Urban Jungle in the 1300 blk. of N. Milwaukee.

According to police, a group of five suspects drove an SUV in to the store and took off with merchandise.

The suspects left the crashed SUV at the scene and took off in two waiting vehicles, police said.

On Friday, Chicago police issued a community alert warning businesses about these brazen crash-and-grab burglaries.

Burglars recently hit other clothing stores in the South Loop, River North, River East and East Village.

That's why on Friday, the owners of Urban Jungle said they requested the city place planters in front of their store.

"We were told we would have them by 2 p.m. but never got them," said John, one of the co-owners. "Other stores got them but we were left like sitting ducks."

John said he thinks this is the same crew hitting other stores like theirs but police have not yet linked this latest incident. Urban Jungle is a streetwear, sneakers and vintage store.

Urban Jungle opened in Oct. 2021. John said they were hit last month when burglars threw a rock through their window.

But he said this time was much worse. He said estimates they got away with about $100,000 in merchandise.

Source - https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-crash-and-grab-wicker-park-urban-jungle-smash/13985135/