Chicago Police Warn of Overnight Home Burglar
Detectives link a suspect who pries open glass entrance doors to at least three burglaries in Wicker Park and West Town since mid-September.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Property Crime
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Chicago police warned residents of Wicker Park and West Town about a prowler who breaks into homes overnight. Detectives have linked the suspect to at least three burglaries since mid-September and say he may be responsible for additional break-ins.
Why it matters
The suspect forces open exterior glass entrance doors with a pry tool and steals tools and other property from residences and building foyers, putting homes and shared building entries at risk. Residents in the affected neighborhoods are being urged to report any information to police.
Chicago police Area Five detectives are investigating at least three burglaries linked to the suspect since mid-September, with the suspect still at large. The suspect may be responsible for additional break-ins, and investigators have asked anyone with information to call 312-746-7394.
The players
Chicago Police Department
The Chicago Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city, including its neighborhoods and criminal investigations.
The details
The suspect uses a pry tool to force open exterior glass entrance doors, then enters building foyers or homes directly, typically during overnight and early morning hours. Burglaries were reported in the 1200 block of North Paulina Avenue on September 18 and in the 1700 block of West North Avenue on September 21 and October 28. He is described as a White man with brown shaggy hair and a medium complexion, last seen wearing black headwear, black pants, a white floral jacket, and tan Timberland boots.
Timeline
September 18: Burglary reported in the 1200 block of North Paulina Avenue at 4:02 a.m.
September 21: Burglary reported in the 1700 block of West North Avenue at 7:40 a.m.
October 28: Burglary reported in the 1700 block of West North Avenue at 1:15 a.m.
November 2026 (Friday): Chicago police issued a community alert about the prowler.
Legal Context
The case is being worked by Chicago Police Department Area Five detectives, who are tying together a pattern of forced-entry burglaries across multiple blocks. Its progress will depend on whether investigators can connect the described suspect to the additional break-ins they have not yet confirmed.
Residents of Wicker Park and West Town should check that exterior glass entrance doors and building foyers are locked and report anyone attempting to force them open. Anyone with information about the suspect or the burglaries should call Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.
The takeaway
Keeping exterior building doors locked and reporting suspicious activity early can help detectives link cases and stop a series of break-ins before more homes are targeted.
Further reading
For more on similar cases, browse Property Crime coverage across Chicago.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CWB Chicago.
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