WILMETTE – There were a dozen auto burglaries overnight in the community and one auto theft, according to a crime alert from the Wilmette Police Department The auto burglaries occurred in two neighborhoods on the west side of the village –Leydon Lane and Chilton just south of Lake Avenue; and in the blocks surrounding Birchwood and Ouilmette Lane in the center of the village.
All the targeted vehicles were left unlocked. The car that was stolen was unlocked with the keys inside. The vehicle stolen from Wilmette was recovered in Evanston at the scene of another auto theft. A car stolen from Calumet City was recovered by the Wilmette Police on the west side of the village.
The Wilmette Police believe all of these incidents are related and ask that residents lock their property and remove their keys each and every night.
Smash Out Auto Burglaries
There is a day time pattern of auto burglaries where the offender(s) smash out a car window in order to gain access to the vehicle. In each case the victim’s purse was visible on the front seat of the car. The offenders have been targeting recreation centers, shopping malls, and houses of worship.
Two incidents occurred in the village the week of Sept. 25 in the mid-morning hours. One occurred in a high school parking lot, the other in a church lot.
Please do not leave your purse visible in an unattended vehicle.
Auto Thefts/ Auto Burglaries
Just a reminder to please lock your cars and remove your car keys each and every night. There continues to be an active pattern of auto thefts and auto burglaries targeting the northern suburbs.
From the Wilmette Police Department