String of smash n’ grab robberies at businesses — Highland Park, IL

A burglar armed with a brick smashed the front windows of three businesses along Central Avenue and First Street before taking cash and a laptop, police said.

At about 7:45 p.m. Oct. 5 in the 600 block of Central Avenue and the 1700 block of First Street, a burglar stole from Waves Hair Design, North Suburban Wellness Center and Stationary Station, said Deputy Chief David Schwarz. All of the businesses were closed at the time and no employees were there, he said. Schwarz declined to comment on how much money was taken.

It appears the burglars were only targeting the stores’ cash draws instead of merchandise, he said. At least one of the windows was smashed with a brick, he said.

“We haven’t seen a smash and grab in Highland Park for years,” Schwarz said. “It’s an anomaly in that regard.”

The burglaries took place near two recent bank robberies that occurred last month. PNC Bank, in the 500 block of Central Avenue, was targeted Sept. 22 by a robber who wore a black wig and glasses. The robber handed a teller a note and implied he had a gun. That robbery was preceded by another, about two weeks earlier at a Chase Bank, also in the 500 block of Central Avenue. On Sept. 1, a thief handed a Chase teller a note, implying that he had a gun. Police are still looking for the bank robbers.

Schwarz said police don’t believe the crimes, including the smash and grab and bank robberies, were committed by the same thieves.

http://triblocal.com/highland-park-highwood/2011/10/12/smash-and-grab-burglar-targets-downtown-businesses/