Car Burglary Crew Targets Hinsdale And Western Springs: Cops

HINSDALE, IL — A crew was active breaking into unlocked cars and stealing some of them in Hinsdale and Western Springs on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, police said. In Hinsdale, two unlocked cars were burglarized in the 100 block of Madison Street and the 600 block of South Thurlow Street. In neighboring Western Springs, four unlocked cars were burglarized and two were stolen, police said. Both of the stolen cars had key fobs left inside.

According to the Western Springs Police Department, the incidents in the village took place between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the 5400 block of Central Avenue, 5000 and 5100 blocks of Caroline Avenue, 5000 block of Lawn Avenue and 100 block of Rugeley Road.

In all six incidents in Western Springs, suspects entered through unlocked doors and ransacked the vehicles, stealing checkbooks, credit cards, a driver's license and key fobs, police said. One of the credit cards inside one of the stolen cars was used at a Marathon gas station in South Holland in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, an unlocked vehicle with the key fob inside was taken from a driveway in Oak Brook off of Spring Road.

Here are some tips from the Western Springs Police Department:

• Keep all vehicle doors and windows closed and locked at all times, even during quick errands. Lock the trunk, hatchback or tailgate to block access to your vehicle. Close all vents or wing windows and sunroofs. Always take your keys with you.
• If you vehicle has a built-in security system, use it.
• Remove visible items (cash, wallet, purse, iPods and cellphones) from the vehicle or place them in the trunk. If you leave items visible in your vehicle, you are a target.
• Park your vehicle in an area that is visible to the public.
• Realize that someone looking into parked vehicles may be trying to find vehicles to steal or identify valuables left in plain view.