A family-run business has just suffered a third break-in and is struggling to stay open.
Surveillance video shows the latest robbery, which occurred over the weekend near the intersection of Ohio Street and Noble Street.
“We are a small business and cannot afford to take a hit like this,” the owner said on condition of anonymity. “People are closing up shop and they don't want to work there. It's very frustrating and it's very scary.”
The owner told NBC Chicago that he was afraid to show his face on camera and that crime was getting out of hand in the city.
“Right now, we're waiting for someone to come here with a gun and rob us,” she said.
Ring video shared with NBC Chicago shows four teens stake out her convenience store Sunday night. The video shows one of them using a hammer to break in. The video shows the suspects crawling through the front door one by one.
“They just take lights and cigars,” she said. “Last time they had about three or four bags of potato chips and they didn't even have a box.”
The owner said another group of teens broke in last month using the base of an umbrella. No one was caught.
“No one says there are any consequences and no one cares, but these kids are teenagers and they're thinking, 'I'm either going to get arrested and get released, or I'm not even going to get arrested.' I think it is,” she said. “By the time they get in and out of here, the police won't even be able to get here.”
The owner says the repair costs are high. It costs about $1,500 each time to replace a glass door, and there's no telling how much more it will cost.
“We can't let them win,” she said. “But I can't keep losing either, so I'll have to make a decision eventually.”
So far this year, robberies have increased by 12, according to police data.th However, the number of reported cases is down 10% citywide. The owner here said that nowhere is safe.
“We really need to support each other and we need to come together and really decide how to deal with this issue,” she said. “These small businesses are being hit hard. They need more police, they need our support, and we're not doing anything.”
