Crime & Safety

Algonquin, Crystal Lake Salons Among Nearly 90 Targeted in Burglary Spree

Police are looking for suspects accused of burglarizing nearly 90 salons across the suburbs and in Chicago.

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Amie Schaenzer, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Photo credit: Village of Northbrook, Illinois Facebook page

Salons in Crystal Lake, Cary and Algonquin are among nearly 90 that have been targeted in burglaries in the past seven months, according to the Naperville Sun.

Thieves have targeted salons in 31 towns, which include: Arlington Heights, Barrington, Batavia, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Evanston, Frankfort, Glenview, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Lemont, Libertyville, Kildeer, Naperville, New Lenox, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Brook, Palatine, Roselle, Shorewood, Skokie, Vernon Hills, Wheeling and Wilmette.

The heists have been pulled off by a group of white men in their late teens or early 20s who appear to be driving a dark, midsize four-door sedan. Police have said the culprits appear to lurk until the salons are closed and empty. The thieves typically strike between 8 p.m. and midnight, according to CBS Chicago.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Christopher Covelli said the burglars typical use force to get into the businesses by breaking a window or forcing a door open, according to a press release from earlier this month.Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said salon owners should remove cash and expensive valuables from the business every night to prevent the burglars from breaking in.

“We encourage business owners to take proactive measures and utilize burglar alarms/video surveillance systems. Additionally, members of the public should report any suspicious activity by dialing 9-1-1,” Undersheriff Ray Rose said.

The Northbrook Police Department this past week posted photos captured via video surviellence of the alleged burglars on its Facebook page with the hopes of capturing the culprits. CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800 535-STOP (7867).


As the investigation continues, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has provided the additional safety tips to salon owners:

  • Ensuring there is ample lighting both inside and outside of the business, while the business is open and closed
  • Having a secure safe to house cash/valuables when it’s necessary to leave them overnight
  • Reinforce door frames
  • Utilizing door locks with deadbolts


Lauren Traut contributed to this article.

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