Dawn Patrol: Break-in at Libertyville gun shop; 2 bank robberies
Libertyville gun shop plans to increase security after break-in
A Libertyville gun store plans to increase its security measures after an early Tuesday morning attempted burglary. Police said a pickup truck backed into and smashed the front windows of Just Target Guns at about 4:30 a.m. "I really didn't expect it to happen up here in Libertyville," said co-owner Lane Lebrun. "God's telling us maybe we just gotta amp it up a little bit." Full story.
FBI searching for suspects in 2 separate bank robberies
The FBI is searching for two suspects involved in separate bank robberies within hours of each other yesterday in DuPage County. The first robbery occurred at 11:23 a.m. at a Bank of America in Carol Stream, and the second happened at 1:46 p.m. at a BMO Harris Bank in Addison, authorities said. Full story.
Des Plaines house fire causes $200,000 in damage
Des Plaines firefighters extinguished a house fire early yesterday morning after they were alerted to it by a passer-by who saw smoke, authorities said. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to put out the fire in the one-story house on the 300 block of Eaker Place. Full story.
Does Des Plaines' Kmart reopening offer hope for Sears?
The Kmart store in Des Plaines will have a grand reopening Saturday, with an appearance by Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippin. Such an event came as a surprise to some analysts. "If the Kmart in Des Plaines requires little input of resources but could still bring in an acceptable return on the investment, then maybe Sears Holdings is going to keep milking that cash cow until it runs dry," said David Aron of Naperville, a marketing professor at Dominican University in River Forest. Full story.
Amtrak train strikes pedestrian in Hinsdale
An Amtrak train struck and killed a pedestrian yesterday afternoon near the West Hinsdale Metra station, authorities said. The crash occurred about 3 p.m. Full story.
Round Lake woman in animal cruelty case insists she loved her dogs
A Round Lake woman charged after two of the 11 crated dogs in her van died on a 90-degree day said she loved the animals and was attempting to help them when police intervened. "I loved the dogs the same as my children. ... I didn't care about the business side; I cared about my dogs," Griselda Martinez testified yesterday during her bench trial before Cook County Judge Marc Martin in Rolling Meadows. The trial continues today. Full story.
Sheriff's deputies back at Burlington, Kaneland high schools
For the past month, it didn't look like Kane County sheriff's deputies would patrol the halls at Burlington Central or Kaneland high schools. Sheriff Don Kramer reassigned the officers at the end of the last school year to bolster the countywide police patrols, but he changed course Monday. This situation is not ideal," read a statement issued by Kramer's office regarding the switch in thinking. "Staffing shortfalls still exist at the sheriff's office." Full story.
Weather
Cloudy and 71 degrees this morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 82 degrees this afternoon, then dip to 74 degrees overnight. There is a chance of rain all day. Full story.
Traffic
Fairfield Road in Lake Villa is closed between Route 132 and Petite Lake Road until the end of December. Full traffic.
Chicago Bandits claim second consecutive Cowles Cup
The Chicago Bandits bested rival USSSA Pride 2-1 last night in Game 3 of a three-game series, capturing their second consecutive Cowles Cup and fourth in franchise history. The Rosemont-based women's softball team got back-to-back home runs in the third inning from Taylor Edwards and Brittany Cervantes. Full story.
Cubs' Arrieta edges closer to 20 wins
In case you hadn't noticed, Jake Arrieta stands a decent chance of winning 20 games for the second year in a row. Arrieta (16-5) started last night's 5-3 victory at San Diego and walked the first batter he faced, mirroring recent troubles. But he got out of the inning without any damage and finished his night going 8 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits. Full story.