Burglars Hit 13 Lincoln Park Stores on Clark Street
A group of men smashed windows and stole cash registers from businesses between Fullerton Parkway and Deming Place early Tuesday morning.
By Leila Mansour ·
Business owners along Clark Street in Lincoln Park faced shattered glass and empty registers on Tuesday morning after a group of men broke into at least 13 storefronts. The early morning intrusion left shopkeepers dealing with broken windows and missing cash as they began the day's operations.
Police said the break-ins occurred around 4 a.m. Tuesday. A group of men exited a white vehicle and smashed glass doors and windows at multiple businesses in the 2400 and 2500 blocks of North Clark Street. The suspects took cash registers from several locations before returning to their vehicle and fleeing eastbound.
The damage affected a list of local establishments, including Sultan’s Market, Kala Modern Greek, CM Chicken, Moon Bowls, Aloha Eats, Molly’s Cupcakes, Epic Snack Shack, Doner 97, The Other Side Bar, Little Bit Cleaner, Top Cleaners, a UPS store, and Great Clips. Some workers reported that as many as 19 businesses were targeted during the spree.
At Great Clips, 2500 N. Clark St., manager Mike Komar arrived at 7 a.m. to find the front window shattered. The burglars took approximately $150 from the register. Komar said the shop did not have surveillance cameras but planned to purchase one following the incident.
“It’s a pain in the neck and an annoyance to have to deal with this the next day,” Komar said. “It sucks that it’s happening to our small businesses.”
At The Other Side Bar, 2434 N. Clark St., bartender Jenna Devincenzi said the group used a cash register stolen from a nearby chicken restaurant to smash through the bar’s window. The bar’s own register was empty at the time. Devincenzi said the incident shook the staff, even though no cash was taken.
“Situations like these do shake us up a bit as a staff and remind us to be smart at night and to use our best judgment,” Devincenzi said.
Robin Hammond, vice president of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, noted that repair costs often exceed the amount of cash stolen. Businesses must pay for temporary boarding and potential lost sales during repairs. Hammond said the chamber is offering vandalism-repair and security rebates through the Clark Street Special Service Area to help offset these expenses.
Ald. Timmy Knudsen, who represents the 43rd Ward, said police have placed the Clark Street corridor under special attention. Dedicated officers are conducting targeted burglary missions in the area. Knudsen is also exploring the installation of public safety cameras where coverage gaps exist and plans to work with the chamber and the Special Service Area on security improvements.
Chicago Police Department data shows reported burglaries in the 19th Police District are down 43 percent this year compared to the same period in 2025. The district recorded 245 burglary complaints through the week ending Oct. 25, compared to 429 last year. Area Three detectives are investigating the Clark Street break-ins. Residents with information or surveillance footage can call 312-744-8263 or submit a tip at chicagopolice.org/submit-a-tip.
