Thief steals running vehicles on Near North Side: police

Four motor vehicle thefts were reported in October 2019 on the Near North Side. | File photo

Chicago police are warning residents of four motor vehicle thefts reported in October on the Near North Side.

In each incident, the owner parks their vehicle and leaves the engine running, Chicago police said. While they are inside a store or restaurant, another person jumps in the vehicle and drives away.

These thefts happened:

• About 4:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in the 500 block of North State Street;
• About 10:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the 600 block of North Wabash Avenue;
• About 5:30 a.m. Oct. 26 in the 400 block of North State Street; and
• About 10:45 p.m. Oct. 29 in the 800 block of North La Salle Drive.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.