5 car burglaries occur in 1 hour overnight in Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS – The Western Springs Police Department is investigating five motor vehicle burglaries that occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. July 9, according to a department news release.

The burglaries took place in the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Clausen and Howard avenues and the 4200 block of Linden Avenue in Western Springs, the release stated.

All of the targeted vehicles were unlocked and parked on residential driveways, according to the release.

A complainant was alerted by the slam of a car door, and from his residence, he observed a black male subject with dreadlocks wearing a light-colored shirt in his driveway and two other subjects on the neighbor's driveway, the release stated. The suspects were observed getting into a dark, four-door vehicle and leaving the area.

A wallet, baseball bag, sunglasses, loose change and phone-charging cords reportedly were stolen from the vehicles, according to the release.

Over the past few years, the Western Springs Police Department has seen a sharp increase in vehicle-related crimes, the release stated. This trend continues to target unlocked vehicles in which valuables are removed and vehicles are sometimes stolen when the keys have been left inside.

In Western Springs, the north section of town has been victimized more frequently, according to the release. The majority of the crimes occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. from Sunday night to Monday morning or Monday night to Tuesday morning.

The department will continue its crime prevention measures and proactive policing efforts by continuing to notify residents of open garage doors, being highly visible, developing intelligence and sharing information with its surrounding partners, the release stated.

Residents are encouraged to call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity. Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to contact the Western Springs Detective Division at 708-246-8540.