Teen Car Dealership Burglars Caught, Could Be Linked To Luxury Car Heists: Cops

WILMETTE, IL — Four 17-year-old Chicago boys have been arrested for attempting to steal luxury cars from a dealership in Wilmette, and police believe it is the same crew of thieves who have been stealing cars from other dealerships in the area.

The thieves broke into the Imperial Motors Jaguar at 721 Green Bay Road by breaking a glass window on a service door Saturday night, according to police.

When a Willmette cop interrupted the burglary around 10:23 p.m., the quartet fled on foot.

Two were arrested exiting the building, with two others caught hiding under a porch in a nearby residential area after fleeing down Highland Avenue.

Sunday's arrests are the first in connection with a string of car dealership thefts around Chicago, and the Wilmette Police Department said it believes this group of juveniles is responsible for other auto thefts in the area.

The suspects arrested have a combined 72 previous juvenile arrests, according to police.

It's the second time Imperial Motors has been targeted by burglars since last November, and it's the 11th robbery at a Chicago-area car dealership is just two months. Five cars were stolen from a Tinley Park dealership Friday night.

Three of the four juveniles arrested Saturday are facing additional charges for the Nov. 25 burglary and auto thefts, police said.

Last weekend, five SUVs were stolen from a Libertyville dealership, and one led police on a chase ending in a Wisconsin crash. Dealerships have also been robbed in Evanston, Clarendon Hills and Goose Island.

Read more:

• 5 Cars Stolen in Overnight Heist at Tinley Park Dealership
• Police Investigate Ties Between Recent Chicago Area Car Dealership Break-ins
• Police Release Sketch Photos of Thieves in Evanston Autobarn Heist