STORY YOUMISSED
The Chicago Police Department launched an investigation after commercial burglars targeted a popular West Town neighborhood restaurant two times during a single week.
According to community reports and law enforcement data, the repeated property crimes took place at Salerno’s on Tap, a local establishment located in the 1200 block of West Grand Avenue.
This specific section of West Grand Avenue serves as a major commercial artery within Cook County, connecting local residents to various long-standing family eateries and modern storefronts.
The initial incident occurred early Wednesday morning when a group of unidentified individuals approached the business with the intent to force entry.
Surveillance video shared by the restaurant owner with local news outlets captures three distinct burglars approaching the property under the cover of darkness.
The video footage shows the three suspects using heavy objects to smash through two of the restaurant’s secure glass doors to gain access to the interior.
Watch footage from ABC7Chicago below.
Once inside the West Grand Avenue storefront, the suspects moved quickly through the building before fleeing the immediate area ahead of responding police units.
Law enforcement officers from the local district arrived at the scene shortly after the security alarms triggered, cataloging the severe structural damage left behind by the intruders.
The restaurant ownership immediately initiated cleanup efforts and boarded up the shattered entryways so the business could continue serving the West Town community.
However, the security of the commercial property failed to deter a second criminal advancement just days later.
The restaurant owner confirmed that a second break-in occurred early Saturday morning, compounding the financial damage and logistical stress inflicted upon the establishment.
During this second weekend incident, the perpetrators targeted the front door of the building, damaging the newly repaired entryway once again to penetrate the interior space.
Chicago Police Department investigators are currently reviewing the business surveillance recordings alongside neighboring traffic cameras to identify the getaway vehicle used by the crew.
No further descriptions of the three suspects are available at this time, and detectives have not announced any official arrests related to either of the two break-ins.
Small business owners along the Grand Avenue corridor expressed heightened safety concerns following the back-to-back property crimes at the established eatery.
The West Town community area, known for its vibrant mix of industrial history and bustling dining scene, relies heavily on foot traffic and neighborhood commercial safety to maintain economic stability.
Local civic associations urge business operators in the area to review their current security protocols to minimize the risk of falling victim to similar commercial retail theft patterns.
Security experts recommend that neighborhood storefronts install high-impact laminate film on all exterior glass doors to prevent quick smash-and-grab entry attempts.
Additionally, keeping interior cash registers completely empty and leaving the empty drawers wide open at night signals to watching thieves that there is no immediate financial reward inside.
Business operators should also ensure that all exterior security cameras feature high-definition night vision capability and remain pointed toward primary entry and exit points.
The Chicago Police Department requests that anyone with relevant information regarding the Wednesday or Saturday incidents contact the Area Central Detective Bureau immediately.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted online through the official Chicago Police Department community portal to assist investigators working the active West Town commercial burglary files.
