Organized Burglars Loot Stores During Black Friday in Chicago

A file image of a jogger running past a broken storefront window after parts of the city had widespread looting and vandalism in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 10, 2020. Scott Olson/Getty Images

An organized group of burglars broke into four stores in Chicago during the early hours of Friday and stole items before the shopping rush of Black Friday, according to Chicago police.

The looters damaged the front entrance of a fifth store as well. The incident happened between 1:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. in and around Chicago’s Wicker Park area.

A report by crime watch website CWBChicago stated the culprits were three black men who were driving a white Cadillac, a black Cherokee, and a Ford Fusion. One of them wore a black ski mask while another one had on a white hoodie with the word “HOODRICH.”

Stolen items include electronics, shoes, jackets, and sportswear, as informed to the police by the stores, Foot Locker, 1241 North Milwaukee, D&D Liquor at 2006 West Division, North Face at 1629 North Damen, and the Empire Wireless at 2640 West Division.

Around 24 hours earlier, police had responded to a call at a Canada Goose store off Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, where looters smashed windows and stole several coats, based on reports from NBC5 Chicago.

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) has deployed extra personnel in regions like Magnificent Mile, the city’s premier commercial district with upscale shops and fashion outlets, and surrounding regions to prevent similar incursions.

There was a string of burglaries and outright raids last week, which some claim was a reactionary response to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. On Nov. 19, the CPD activated the city’s anti-looting plan to safeguard stores located in the Central Business District. Neiman Marcus and Foot Locker were among the outlets that were targeted.

Two days earlier, on Nov. 17, a band of around 14 looters entered a Louis Vuitton store in Oak Brook, Illinois, and grabbed whatever they could get their hands on, and left with more than $100,000 worth of merchandise.

Based on reports and video footage, this raid was strategically planned when the armed security guard went on a break. Looters bumped into each other in the ensuing frenzy that left the store in a disarray. Investigations are ongoing.

During the past two weeks, luxury outlets in California’s Bay Area like Burberry, Nordstrom, and Yves Saint Laurent reported multiple smash-and-grab incidents.

A Best Buy store in downtown Minneapolis was apparently over-run on Friday with more than 30 looters who left with stolen goods, reports CBS MInneapolis. Another Best Buy in Saint Paul was also looted on Black Friday.