The La Grange Police Department is investigating six (6) motor vehicle burglaries that occurred in the early morning hours on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The vehicle burglaries took place in the 700 block of S. Waiola and the 700 block of S. Spring.
At approximately 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2019, La Grange Police officers responded to the 700 block of Waiola for a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area. A resident called the Police Department after observing two subjects exit a black sedan and begin pulling on vehicle door handles of parked cars. One subject was described as a white male wearing a grey fleece top and a knit cap. Upon arrival, officers were unable to locate the suspicious vehicle or subjects. Area departments were notified of the circumstances.
Officers subsequently determined that three (3) vehicles had been ransacked in the 700 block of Waiola. It was later determined that three (3) other vehicles had been entered in the 700 block of S. Spring.
After speaking to the owners of the vehicles, the officers were able to ascertain that nothing had been removed from five (5) of the vehicles. A wallet was stolen from the sixth car. All of the vehicles had been left unlocked. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
In addition, a vehicle was reported stolen from the driveway in the 900 block of S. Waiola, taken sometime in the early morning hours on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The stolen vehicle, a black, 2016, Audi A3 with Illinois license plates, had been unsecured with the key fob inside the car.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is being asked to contact the Police Department at (708) 579-2333.
The most effective ways for residents to prevent car burglaries and vehicle thefts is to keep all vehicle doors and windows closed and locked at all times. Here are a few additional tips:
- Call 911 immediately if you observe any of the following:
- Unfamiliar subjects looking into parked vehicles
- Unfamiliar subjects walking around pulling on car door handles
- Unusual dog barking
- Suspicious, unfamiliar, occupied vehicles
- If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, lock them in the trunk or hide them. Do not leave them in plain view. If you leave items visible in your vehicle, you are a target.
- Do not leave garage door openers in parked vehicles. Once inside your vehicle, thieves will have access to your garage. They can return later and gain entry into your garage when you are not home.
- Keep track of your keys. Do not leave the keys or fob inside the vehicle. Criminals check for unsecured vehicles and will attempt to start cars with keyless ignition systems.
- If your vehicle has a built-in security system, use it. An audible alarm is designed to emit a loud noise, often the car’s horn, if someone attempts to enter the vehicle while the alarm is on. The unwanted attention attracted by the noise may chase off a potential thief.
The La Grange Police Department conducts regular patrols. The sooner you call, the sooner the officer can investigate any leads/suspects.
Please report any suspicious activity immediately by dialing 9-1-1.