Sheriff seeks public's help in hunt for burglars

The DuPage County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in identifying three suspects in a July 11 burglary at the Tobacco Outlet in a strip mall at Route 83 and Honeysuckle Rose Lane near Willowbrook.

Authorities say the suspects used a brick to break the store's window and then one man climbed through and handed a cash register and 130 cartons of Newport 100's cigarettes to two others.

The suspects are described as black men ranging in age from 20 to 30.

Sheriff's deputies say they believe these are the same men who committed a similar burglary in June at a store in Oak Lawn. They said a fourth black man, roughly 45 to 55 years old with a white beard or goatee, was involved in the Oak Lawn burglary.

The suspects were driving a gold, four-door 1999 Buick Park Avenue with unknown registration.

Anyone who recognizes the suspects from surveillance photos or who has any information to assist the investigation is asked to call the sheriff's office at (630) 407-2400.

Residents also can provide anonymous information through DuPage County Crime Stoppers by visiting, http://www.dupagecrimestoppers.com/ or can use their cellphone to text the word "SHERIFF," plus their message, to CRIMES (274637). The text message will be encrypted and forwarded to the sheriff's office. Deputies will be able to reply, but will not know the identity of the person who has sent the tip.