Police looking for information on smash-n-grab burglaries
By Jenette Sturges jsturges@stmedianetwork.com March 12, 2013 3:46PM
Updated: April 14, 2013 6:35AM
AURORA — Police are investigating a series of smash-and-grab burglaries that have happened over the past several days across the city.
Police said that all eight burglaries or attempted burglaries appear to have been committed by the same person.
In each incident, a large brick or rock was used to smash the glass exterior doors to several businesses. After entering, the offender either attempts to break open or steal the cash registers.
The crimes have all been committed between about 7:15 p.m. March 8, and 5 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The total loss, including property damage, is approximately $10,500.
The suspect was seen on camera at several of the businesses, and is described as a white male, 5-foot-5 to 6-feet-tall, between 170 and 200 pounds. He may be driving a small, four-door compact vehicle similar to a Mitsubishi Lancer, police said.
On Friday, around 7:15 p.m., he struck a commercial building in the 1100 block of Jericho Road, and around 8:45 p.m. he burglarized an automotive repair business in the 1300 block of West Galena Blvd.
Sometime between 7 p.m. Friday and 12:15 a.m. Saturday, he struck a hair salon in the 200 block of West Benton Street.
On Saturday, at approximately 12:40 a.m., he hit a hair salon in the 500 block of West Illinois Avenue; at 2:30 a.m., a supermarket in the 300 block of North Farnsworth Avenue; and at approximately 2:45 a.m., a gas station in the 1300 block of East New York Street.
Police said that between 11 p.m. Saturday and 7:45 a.m. Sunday, the suspect caused property damage to an exterior door at a bank in the 300 block of West Galena Boulevard.
And on Tuesday, at approximately 5 a.m. he struck an automotive repair business in the 2400 block of West Sullivan Road.
Police are asking anyone with information to call investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
