At least 10 people in Chicago have woken up to find their car windows smashed and airbag stolen in the past couple of weeks, police warned.
Most of the thefts took place on the city’s West Side, police said.
According to a Community Alert issued by Chicago police, the incidents occurred at the following times and places:
Between 6 p.m. on January 15 and 6 a.m. on January 16 on the 5000 block of West Ohio Street Around 11:37 p.m. on January 19 on the 500 block of North Avers Avenue Between 5 p.m. on January 20 and 6 a.m. on January 21 on the 600 block of North Central Park Avenue Between 10 p.m. on January 20 and 7:30 a.m. January 21 on the 1000 block of North Central Park Avenue Between 8 p.m. on January 20 and 10:10 a.m. on January 21 on the 3600 block of West Augusta Avenue Between 9:45 p.m. on January 20 and 10 a.m. on January 21 on the 3500 block of West Augusta Avenue Between 5 a.m. and 8:10 a.m. on January 21 on the 1000 block of North Central Park Avenue Between 1 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on January 21 on the 900 block of North Drake Avenue Around 7:30 a.m. on January 21 on the 900 block of North Monticello Avenue Between 1 a.m. and 11 a.m. on January 24 on the 4800 block of West Augusta AvenuePolice describe the suspects as one to two Black men of unknown ages. One was seen wearing black clothing and a black surgical mask.
Miriam Koshaba says she had to get a rental car after thieves recently targeted her Honda Civic
“My car is not gonna be repaired until Tuesday. This is crazy,” said Koshaba. “I had some cash in my middle console, like some dollars. I just thought that would be taken, but they only wanted the airbag.”
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 50,000 airbags are stolen each year.
The vehicles targeted most commonly are late-models, especially Honda Civics & Accords.
Replacing an airbag that deploys can cost more than a thousand dollars at a dealer or reputable shop, while stolen ones sell for $50 to$ 250 dollars.
Stealing the airbags only takes a minute or two, according to Matt Tefka, owner of Fulton-Des Plaines Garage & Service.
Tefka said airbag theft was a “big thing” many years ago that had seemingly gone away but now seems to be “coming back full circle.”
“If these guys can steal 10 [airbags] a night and sell them for a few hundred dollars, they’re making some solid money,” Tefka said. “It becomes very lucrative for them.”
The goal of stealing the airbags is to re-sell them to whoever will buy them, Tefka said, adding that its “really no different” from the catalytic converter thefts many Chicagoans are familiar with.
Drivers should park in well-lit public areas, only buy a replacement airbag from a reputable source and consider getting a steering wheel lock to help protect themselves against the crime.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 312-746-8253 or submit an anonymous tip online at CPDTIP.com using reference #26-4-006.
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