Subject: Vanguard Lofts - Forced Entry & Burglary
From: christian.a.lattimer@jpmchase.com
Date: Thu Dec 22 2005 - 15:41:23 CST
There was a break-in and burglary today around 11:30am. Two individuals
entered the front of the building via the Throop Street entrance. Forced
entry was used to gain access to the vestibule. A pry bar was inserted
between the door security plate and the door frame. Once enough pressure
was applied the lock broke giving the perpetrators access to the
vestibule.
The perpetrators then gained access to 1st floor hallway by using a device
to pop open the lock. Most likely it was a hacksaw blade or some small
metallic strip was placed between the door and the frame to open the lock.
Unit 708 was the victim of the crime. The burglars used a pry bar placed
between the door frame and the wooden door to gain access to the unit. The
door frame bent and the lock broke under the extreme pressure from the pry
bar. Please note, this unit had a deadbolt and it did not stop them from
gaining access.
Residence of the 7th floor spotted the burglars on the 1st floor carrying
a TV down the hallway towards the front door of the building. A pile of
stolen goods was seen next to the elevator and stairwell on the 7th floor.
The residence of the 7th floor then called the police to report the crime
was in progress.
Five squad cars were dispatched to the building. It took the police
approximately 45 minutes to arrive at the building after the call was
placed. The police investigated the unit and swept the building looking
for the perpetrators and other damage. Some items were recovered, but the
burglars did manage to get away with a television and cd player.
First Properties was notified about the incident around 1:00pm. They are
going to send someone out to fix the broken door on the front of the
building. Julio was also dispatched to the property to aid the officers
with access to the security tapes. The police have been notified of the
security tapes and they are in the process of being handed over to the
evidence investigation office that is handling this case.
It is my hopes that First Properties will notify all residence of this
burglary ASAP. Many residence are not on this discussion group and are
not aware of the crime. I will ask Loretta to send out information to all
residence.
In talking to the officers and other residence of the building, people
should know that another break-in was attempted sometime within the last
month. Someone tried to force entry into a unit while someone was home.
Crime does seem to peak around the holiday season, so please be on the
lookout.
- Chris
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