North Aurora cops hunting smash-and-grab burglars
North Aurora police are hunting for five people suspected in a pair of smash-and-grab burglaries early Thursday at businesses near River and Butterfield roads on the village's east side.
Police said their probe began at 1:53 a.m. when officers responded to an alarm at the Citgo gas station at 13 N. River Road. Just two minutes later, another alarm went off roughly a quarter-mile away at Jay's Wine and Liquors at 188 Butterfield Road.
Officers arrived at Jay's to find burglars had smashed the front door glass and removed a cash register drawer containing an unknown amount of money.
A review of surveillance video shows the burglars arriving in a blue Kia Sportage at 1:49 a.m. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Wisconsin.
One person tried unsuccessfully to break the glass with an unknown object and then a second kicked it in. The burglars tried to remove an ATM but failed because it was bolted to the floor. They then took the cash drawer and fled.
The entire incident took about two minutes.
At the Citgo station, officers discovered burglars had broken glass in the front door to gain entry and stole an ATM and a cash register drawer. Video from that scene shows the blue Kia arriving at 1:51 a.m.
One man used what appears to be a crowbar to smash the glass in the door, and then others took the ATM and put it in the car's trunk. They left about a minute later.
One suspect is described as a black man wearing a black hoodie and gray pants with a black stripe, and bright orange gloves.
The races of the other suspects are unknown, but one was wearing a white mask, gray hoodie, black pants and gray gloves; another was wearing a black mask, white and gray hoodie, black pants and black gloves; another was wearing a black hoodie, black pants and black gloves; and the driver was wearing a light gray hoodie, white mask and light-colored gloves.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Investigations Division at (630) 897-8705, ext. 610. Anonymous tips may be left by calling (630) 897-8705 and choosing option 3.