Aurora cops hunting ‘smash and grab’ burglar

The same man is suspected in eight “smash and grab” burglaries or attempted burglaries between March 8 and Tuesday morning in Aurora, police said.

In each case, the man used a brick or rock to smash the exterior glass doors of a business, authorities said, and then tried to break open or steal the cash registers. The first burglary was reported around 7:15 p.m. Friday and the most recent around 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said the combined loss from all eight incidents, including property damage, is roughly $10,500.

Based on surveillance camera images at several businesses, police believe the suspect is a white man, between 5 feet 5 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing between 170 and 200 pounds. He may be driving a small, four-door compact vehicle similar to a Mitsubishi Lancer.

Police said the following burglaries have been reported:

Ÿ 7:15 p.m. Friday at a commercial building on the 1100 block of Jericho Road;

Ÿ 8:45 p.m. Friday at an automotive repair business on the 1300 block of W. Galena Boulevard;

Ÿ between 7 p.m. Friday and 12:15 a.m. Saturday at a hair salon on the 200 block of W. Benton Street;

Ÿ 12:40 a.m. Sunday at a hair salon on the 500 block of W. Illinois Avenue;

Ÿ 2:30 a.m. Sunday at a supermarket on the 300 block of N. Farnsworth Avenue;

Ÿ 2:45 a.m. Sunday at a gas station on the 1300 block of E. New York Street;

Ÿ between 11 p.m. Sunday and 7:45 a.m. Monday at a bank on the 300 block of W. Galena Boulevard (a door was broken but nothing was taken);

Ÿ 5 a.m. Tuesday at an automotive repair business on the 2400 block of W. Sullivan Road.

Police ask anyone with information to call investigators at (630) 256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.