Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Follow up to Burglaries in the 16th District

20 December 2011

Dear 16th District Residents,

On 2 December 2011, I sent out a message in regards to the increase in residential burglaries, and in particular burglaries occurring in an area on Beat 1613 bounded by Gunnison to Argyle and Nagle to Harlem.  Since that time, we have some success in identifying, capturing and charging three subjects for residential burglary.  This success is due, in large part, to the alertness of citizens.

About two weeks ago a citizen called police about suspicious activity.  The citizen provided police with a description of a vehicle and the partial numbers on the license plate.  These descriptions matched those of the wanted vehicle and offender from burglaries that occurred in Harwood Heights and Beat 1613.  16th District personnel along with personnel from Harwood Heights and Park Ridge worked together to identify, locate and investigate this wanted vehicle and offender.

On 15 December, the offenders using this same vehicle committed a residential burglary in the 17th District.  Our assembled team of 16th District, Area 5 Detective Division, Harwood Heights, and Park Ridge personnel combined efforts to capture these offenders and recover the proceeds.  The investigative team was able to gather more information, and now can identify several locations in the 16th District and Harwood Heights in which this crew of burglars committed residential burglaries.

This investigation illustrates that we are working blind without the support of alert citizens.  We were focused on locating a vehicle because surveillance cameras captured this crew of burglars in a dark colored four door Mazda.  Another alert citizen was able to obtain a license plate.  With this assistance, law enforcement was able to locate the vehicle, and capture the offenders.

Residential burglaries continue to be the 16th Districts featured crime.  The best way for us to curb this crime is to call 911 and report any suspicious persons or activity.  The information developed from 911 calls and prior case reports will assist us in locating, identifying, and arresting burglary offenders.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas, many of us will be out of our homes visiting family.  The 16th district will have personnel dedicated to patrolling the side streets and alleys in specifically identified areas.  Please share with your neighbors your plans; keep an eye out for each others properties.  And if there is any suspicious activity, please call 911 immediately.

District Commander 16th District

4 comments:

  1. See what a few dozen letters to Superintendent McCarthy can do.

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  2. Stay alert. 16th district has had 108 more burglaries from Jan 2011 to Nov 27, 2011 than the year prior.

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  3. C'mon 41st Ward residents - the 16th district did a good job catching a crew of burglars breaking into homes in our community. Lets acknowledge the positive events in the 41st Ward too.

    ReplyDelete