Dec. 09--A pawn shop in Marquette Park became the latest target of "crash-and-grab" burglars when a minivan rammed through the store's front entrance Tuesday morning, according to police.
A stolen Dodge Caravan plowed into the door of EZ Pawn in the 6700 block of South Western Avenue at about 3:55 a.m., police said.
Several people swiped electronics and other items before fleeing on foot, leaving the van covered by debris inside the store, police said.
Its engine was still running, its wipers and brake lights on, as store employees and police officers sifted through the damage around 6:30 a.m.
The van struck a partition, which rested partially crumpled across its hood and roof. No skid marks could be seen leading up to the store's entrance, but shattered glass, destroyed displays and scattered merchandise showed the path the van took.
A store manager and employee declined to talk to reporters on the scene.
The owner of the Caravan said it was stolen between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Tuesday and she reported it to police. The woman said she was contacted by police after the burglary.
The incident follows a number of "crash-and-grab" burglaries in Chicago and suburbs in recent weeks.
On Thanksgiving Day, a truck slammed through the back wall of J-Bees Clothing and Footwear in the Austin neighborhood and several thieves scooped up high-end clothing.
The day before, a van smashed through the metal shutters and glass doors of the Cisco Nyc store in the 4000 block of West Madison Street, police said. As many as 20 thieves rushed into the store and took what they could before fleeing.
Similar robberies have taken place in Northbrook, Aurora and Oak Brook since October, but law enforcement has not said whether any of the crimes are related.
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