CHICAGO (WLS) — A group of thieves targeted more than a dozen businesses in the city.

It’s been going on for weeks.

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Chicago police said the group of thieves broke glass and stole cash registers and cash registers.

Small business owners said repairing a glass window or door can mean tens of thousands of dollars out of their pockets.

“Smash a shop window; that could be a $30,000 repair,” said Ruby Room owner Kate Leydon.

Leydon knows firsthand the work it takes to keep a small business alive when the criminals come.

The video shows her shop being robbed during the pandemic.

“A small business that keeps getting hit over and over again is very likely to close,” Leydon said.

Now 18 other businesses, including Fatso’s Last Stand and The Boil Cajun Seafood in West Town, are cleaning up the damage after their glass doors were smashed in a recent break-in.

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Chicago police say that between October 26 and Wednesday, the 18 businesses from Albany Park to the South Side were targeted by a group of four to five male thieves. They wore dark clothing, masks and gloves and were seen in four different cars.

“It comes down to manpower; it comes down to the fact that these districts are very large and we’re trying to make sure there’s enough assets there to patrol the areas,” 36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas said.

Villegas said he is working with the city’s budget committee to reimburse businesses for the surveillance equipment.

“Small businesses are the backbone of this country and they employ people from the neighborhoods. And all of that activity is local and those are the things we want,” Villegas said.

Leydon, who has operated his store for nearly 25 years, said it’s important to make sure your employees are trained to be aware of their surroundings.

“I think once you energetically let go of your space, you become much more susceptible,” Leydon said.

She hopes those who commit these crimes realize that the damage goes beyond finances.

“We’re really just like everyone else trying to make it and do what we love,” Leydon said.

Chicago police are urging businesses to report any suspicious activity immediately and also make sure surveillance cameras are working.

The incidents occurred at the following times and locations:

– 1500 block of North Ashland Avenue at 10:45 p.m. Oct. 26 (West Town)
– 5300 block of West Belmont Avenue between 4:00 p.m., October 26 and 5:00 p.m. (Belmont Cragin)
– 5300 block of West Belmont Avenue between 4:00 p.m., October 26 and 5:00 p.m. (Belmont Cragin)
– 3100 block of West Montrose Avenue at 2:55 a.m., Oct. 27 (East Albany Park)
– 3700 block of North Harlem Avenue, 26:00, October 26 and 27:00, 27:00, 2024 (Belmont Heights)
– 5100 block of West Diversey Parkway at 5:51 a.m. Oct. 27 (Belmont Cragin)
– 3100 block of West Lawrence Avenue at 4:45 a.m. Nov. 17 (Albany Park)
– 4300 block of West Armitage Avenue at 5:20 a.m. Nov. 17 (Hermosa)
– 800 block of North Western Avenue at 5:32 a.m. Nov. 17 (West Town)
– 1800 block of West Division Street at 5:58 a.m. Nov. 17 (West Town)
– 3500 block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 3:10 a.m. Nov. 26 (Irving Park)
– 5800 block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 4 a.m. Nov. 26 (Norwood Park)
– 5800 block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 4 a.m. Nov. 26 (Norwood Park)
– 2200 block of South Michigan Avenue at 4:15 a.m. Nov. 26 (Near South Side)
– 500 Block of West Roosevelt Road at 4:18 am, November 26, 2024 (Near West Side)
– 1400 block of South Michigan Avenue at 4:37 a.m. Nov. 26 (Near South Side)
– 1200 block of North Noble Avenue at 5:20 a.m. Nov. 26 (Pulaski Park)
– 2200 block of West Chicago Avenue at 5:36 a.m. Nov. 26 (West Town)

Anyone with information is asked to call Precinct Three Detectives at (312)-744 8263 or Precinct Five Detectives at (312)-746-7394 or submit an anonymous tip to CPDTIP.com.