
A burglary crew consisting of four men in masks committed at least five smash-and-grabs at gas stations and convenience stores throughout Lake County early Monday morning.
Two of the burglaries occurred in Deerfield, one in Riverwoods, one in Lake Forest and another in North Chicago, business owners told Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
In Riverwoods, four men in masks smashed the glass door of the Mobil gas station, 2201 Deerfield Road, around 1:53 a.m. and tried to steal the ATM, but it was bolted to the floor.
Gas station owner Anil Abbott told several news stations that the thieves also tried to steal cash from the safe but it was locked. They ended up getting away with cash and coins from the register, Abbott said.
In Deerfield, the same burglars smashed the front door of the BP gas station, 1460 Waukegan Road, around 2 a.m. and also attempted to steal the ATM but the security alarm went off and they fled, according to the owner Dave Welch.
Down the road at the Mobil gas station, 650 Waukegan Road in Deerfield, the burglars struck again before driving to the Shell gas station, 193 East Deerpath Road in Lake Forest. The burglars were able to steal the ATM at the Shell station.
The four suspects then broke into VIP Food and Liquor, 1720 Sheridan Road in North Chicago, around 2:30 a.m. They got away with cash from the register and the ATM.
In each case, the suspects fled in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police are investigating the burglaries and have not released any further information.