At least 41 vehicles targeted at Illinois Institute of Technology parking lot, officials say
Chicago police are investigating 69 car break-ins in Bronzeville parking lots, near 33rd Street and State Street, and near 32nd Street and King Drive.
ByEric Horng,ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Sunday, September 20, 2026 3:33AM
CHICAGO (WLS) –A group of suspects broke into at least 41 vehicles in a South Side parking lot early Saturday morning, Chicago police said.
At least 28 more vehicles were also broken into at another parking lot nearby shortly after.
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Police said the first crime happened in the Bronzeville neighborhood near East 33rd and South State streets just before 2:15 a.m.
Four people in a black SUV approached the lot, where they broke 41 vehicles’ windows. Police said it was not immediately clear whether any property was taken. The suspects fled the scene in their SUV.
“Putting my stuff in like my backseat. Soon as I try to go in, I see my window shattered. I’m like, ‘Shoot!'” break-in victim Spencer Pickar said.
The break-ins happened in an Illinois Institute of Technology parking lot.
“Illinois Tech Public Safety responded alongside the Chicago Police Department to reports of vehicle break-ins in a campus parking lot early Saturday morning,” an Illinois Tech spokesperson said in a statement. “The university has increased patrols in campus parking areas, and we are working with affected vehicle owners directly. The safety and security of our students and campus community is always our top priority, and we are continuing to work with CPD as it investigates the incident.”
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“We came out to check, and sure enough my car’s broken into,” break-in victim Joseph Sherry said. “Everything was rummaged through, but they didn’t take anything.”
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Then, around 3:10 a.m., a group of three suspects in a dark-colored Jeep SUV caused damage to at least 28 vehicles at a nearby parking lot in the 3200 block of South King Drive, CPD said.
It was also not known if any property was taken from these vehicles, but some break-in victims also reported to ABC7 that no items were taken from their vehicles.
“Nothing at all. Absolutely nothing,” break-in victim Simon Macapagal said. “Even things that could have some value, like the owner’s manual, nothing at all.”
Residents of the Lake Meadows Apartments say there were more than 28 vehicles targeted there.
“It was absurd,” break-in victim Latasha Davis said. “Everybody was very angry, because this apartment complex does have security.”
There was similar frustration back at the IIT parking lot.
“Why do we have these security guards that are patrolling 24/7 if they’re not here to observe that there’s 40 people that got their cars broken into?” Sherry said.
Authorities did not immediately provide additional information on the two incidents.
Area One detectives are investigating.
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