Surveillance footage captures a possible auto theft suspect on a Hinsdale driveway early Saturday morning. Reports of two car burglaries were later filed in the same area and time frame of the footage. (photo provided by Hinsdale police)
Hinsdale Police reported incidents of attempted auto theft that occurred early Saturday morning, July 20, in the village's northeast neighborhood.
According to an alert posted on the police department's social media, the incidents took place at approximately 5 a.m. in the area just north of Hinsdale Hospital. An officer noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area, which then fled southbound on the Tri-State Tollway at a high rate of speed.
Several hours later, a resident in the neighborhood reported an auto burglary. After reviewing footage from the home surveillance system, it was discovered that the resident's car had been targeted around 5 a.m. just prior to the officer's encounter with the suspects. The offenders had approached the resident's driveway and rummaged through their unlocked vehicle.
Reports were later filed on two incidents. One stated that an unknown suspect entered two unlocked vehicles and rummaged through the interiors between midnight and 9:30 a.m. July 20 in a driveway in the 300 block of North County Line Road. Taken in the theft was a purse containing the victim's wallet and car key, a laptop, a golf bag with golf clubs, and cash and credit cards.
A second report stated that two unknown suspects were observed on surveillance cameras entering an unlocked vehicle at 5:09 a.m. July 20 while it was parked on a driveway in the 300 block of Flagg Court. Nothing was reported missing from that vehicle.
The police department cautioned residents not to confront perpetrators, who have been to know to carry guns and may have been in these incidents.
"If you witness any suspicious activity, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately. It is important to note that offenders in these incidents may be armed. In this recent case, one suspect appeared to be concealing an object, likely a firearm, under his clothing," the department posted on its Facebook site.
Taking steps to protect one's property is the best approach to discourage such activity, officials advised.
"Hinsdale occasionally experiences overnight driveway incursions, where individuals stroll through neighborhoods in the middle of the night, searching for unlocked cars to rummage through. Their goal is to locate vehicles with the key FOBs inside, which can lead to auto theft," the post read. "Each year, Hinsdale suffers losses due to this type of crime. To help protect your vehicle and belongings, please remember to lock your car doors and remove key fobs every night.
"Your vigilance can help keep our community safe."
