Crash-and-grab burglars target Park Ridge sneaker store

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (CBS) -- For the third time in less than a year, a Park Ridge business has been broken into and burglarized.

This time, the people responsible used the crash-and-grab method. They smashed right through the front window of the store with a stolen sport-utility vehicle.

At 4:07 a.m. Wednesday, Park Ridge police were called to the HQ Chicago Sneaker and Streetwear shop at 137 N. Northwest Hwy. in Uptown Park Ridge.

The Jeep stopped in the middle of a store, where it was caught on video. Seconds later, a Dodge Durango pulled up, and a group of thieves ran inside and stole whatever merchandise they could carry—mostly gym shoes.

One of the burglars also raided the cash register.

Video showed the thieves running what they had stolen to the waiting Dodge—jumping over the gate they had just pummeled to go back and forth.

A neighbor who asked to have his identity concealed was woken up by the crash-and-grab. He called 911.

"This morning, we woke up about 4 o'clock to a crash and banging," the neighbor said. "I came out on my balcony and saw an SUV had driven through a business across from us."

The neighbor took photos showing the police response and the stolen Jeep used for the crash-and-grab being towed way.

Police said the SUV was stolen out of Park Ridge before the burglary.

"Park Ridge police headed in both directions toward this store on Northwest Highway, and the people that were robbing this store took off another side street here, Summit, and headed toward the highway," the neighbor said.

The thieves escaped in the Dodge in which they had arrived, while leaving the Jeep behind, police said.

Now, HQ Chicago Sneaker and Streetwear is boarded up for the third time. Police said the store has been burglarized twice since it opened in January of this year.

CBS News Chicago tried to contact the owners of HQ Sneakers and Streetwear. They did not wish to comment for this story.

Police late Wednesday were still looking for the people responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call Park Ridge police at 847-318-5256.