The owner of a Chicago bar is not letting a group of masked bandits stop them from spreading holiday cheer.
Nearly a week ago thieves smashed their way into the small business in the middle of the night and got away with the ATM along with gifts under a “Giving Tree” meant for families in need.
The break in happened at Olive Black near Southport and Lincoln Avenues on December 11.
Surveillance video captured the Christmas thieves in action, showing the group smashing their way through the front door and setting their eyes on the ATM.
“It was right there, they rocked it back and forth until they busted up the floor and they were able to pick up the ATM and they just walked it out,” said owner Wendy Prinn.
Prinn told NBC Chicago four masked burglars came back after loading the ATM to swipe the presents under the Christmas tree.
“There were a bunch of bags underneath there they started kinda shuffling through the bags, pulling things out, grabbed a few things and left with them,” she said.
She said the thieves were in and out in less than two minutes.
“Every time I look at it [surveillance video] I feel like violated,” she said. “They broke into my space. This was my space this was my safe space for me and it’s a violation.”
The repairs will now cost them hundreds of dollars. The bar first opened in 2023.
“We opened just under three years ago so we’re still struggling and trying to find out footing and trying to do good things for the community and then for this to happen—it’s just a setback,” she said.
What the thieves did not only hurt the business, but also the recipients of the giving tree, Prinn said. Over the years she and her husband have paid it forward making Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for the homeless and families in need.
People in the community on Tuesday night came together to host a benefit to help them recover from the break in and to replace the stolen gifts.
“It’s overwhelming, I mean literally, it makes me want to cry,” she said. “It was a bad thing that happened, but this is definitely the silver lining and it brought some attention to the issue and like I said, these people [Giving Tree recipients] are going to have an amazing Christmas.”
In the meantime, the owner is thinking about hiding security gates as an extra later of protection for her business. Friends and neighbors started a GoFundMe page to support them. As for the case, Area Three detectives are still investigating.
Hence then, the article about masked burglars steal atm and presents under giving tree from lakeview bar was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Masked burglars steal ATM and presents under Giving Tree from Lakeview bar )
Also on site :