As summer heats up, so does crime
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
EVANSTON — Three businesses on Front Street have been struck by vandals or thieves over the past two weeks.
The most recent incident was a break-in on Monday, June 26, at Bon Rico. Just three days before that, between 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, there was a break-in at Dang Good Smokehouse and Bar-B-Que.
In between those two break-ins, Evanston Police Lt. Ken Pearson said, the “BB gun bandits” also struck, shooting the windows of Wonderful Inn. The window incident was reported on Friday, June 23.
Because the barbecue and Bon Rico break-ins, combined with the BB gun bandits, occurred on one of the busiest streets in Evanston, police are inviting the public to come forward if they noticed anything suspicious during those times. That particularly applies to the daytime/evening break-in at Dang Good Bar-B-Que.
“They hit all three sides — well, all but the front,” Pearson said of that theft, which he said would have happened when it was still light outside.
Police are trying to test for fingerprints as well.
These incidents follow on the heels of yet another break-in and theft on May 12. Pearson said the VFW Post 4280 was entered from the back door, with a vehicle parked in the alleyway. He said less than $5,000 was stolen, and it is still an active case.
When asked, Pearson said it is possible that the Bon Rico’s and VFW break-ins could be related, but that is a tenuous link, and police approach crimes individually so they don’t miss clues.
“Typically when we link stuff, it starts clouding one or the other,” he said. “So we try to chase both of them ... individually.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact CrimeStoppers by texting (307) 708-CASH or calling (307) 789-CASH (2274). Calls are confidential and may be worth a reward of up to $1,000.
