Work Vehicles Broken Into In Elmhurst: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – Three men broke into a work van early Wednesday morning, with Elmhurst officers chasing them for a time, authorities said.

The officers responded about 5:45 a.m. to the report of a burglary of a work van in the 200 block of North Highland Avenue, police said in a statement on Facebook.

The men fled in a white Alpha Romeo SUV with a paper temporary license plate displayed, police said.

Minutes later, local officers saw the car enter Interstate 290 from North Avenue and pursued it. They, along with agencies from Cook County, last witnessed the car heading north on Harlem Avenue in Oak Park, police said. They remain at large.

Police said the suspects broke the van's window, activated the garage door opener, entered the home's attached garage and stole power tools, police said.

A second burglary of a work truck was reported in the 200 block of North Indiana Avenue.

The suspects and the Alpha Romeo are believed to be responsible for several burglaries in Chicago and the suburbs over the last week, authorities said.

Police said work vehicles often contain valuable equipment and that precautions should be taken to secure them. Residents are advised to park them indoors if possible, remove garage door openers from vehicles parked outside and remove valuables to prevent theft.