Robbers who broke into a Louis Vuitton store on North Michigan Avenue caused a tragedy when an innocent bystander was killed in a crash involving one of the getaway vehicles, Chicago police announced.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning, around 4:53 a.m., in the block of East Walton Street, in the heart of the “Magnificent Mile.”
Police stated that a group of suspects hit the store’s display window with a pickup truck, and a cell phone video from a witness shows the moment they rammed the vehicle into the luxury boutique. The video shows several people dressed in black entering the store and carrying out stolen items, after which they flee in other vehicles parked nearby.
One getaway car, a Kia Stinger, sped down Michigan Avenue, where it collided with a Honda CR-V at the intersection with Ohio Street. The driver of the Honda, a man in his forties who had no connection to the robbery, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died.
Five suspects from the Kia were detained and hospitalized with minor injuries. Another getaway vehicle lost control on DuSable Lake Shore Drive near Roosevelt Road – four suspects fled on foot, and two were arrested. A portion of the loot was found in that vehicle.
Eyewitnesses described the crash as a powerful head-on collision. “He hit a car that was going this way, from the opposite direction, and they just smashed into each other,” said witness Harry Lipman.
This incident disturbed hotel guests in the vicinity. “I was woken up by the sirens and I realized something serious was happening down there,” Lipman added.
According to Second District Alderman Brian Hopkins, this is the second major break-in on the Gold Coast in the last few weeks. Just a week ago, a “Rolex” store was broken into, while two and a half weeks ago, a dozen thieves broke into the “Louis Vuitton” section inside the Nordstrom department store.
“These are not victimless crimes, these are dangerous felonies,” stated Hopkins. “People who repeat this must be prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms. We are done tolerating such things.”
Hopkins added that the case is being elevated to an interagency retail theft task force, which includes federal institutions, including the US Department of Justice. Police have so far seized more than $180,000 in stolen goods.
The investigation is being led by area detectives and the Major Accidents Unit, and indictments are expected to be filed against the suspects. The identity of the deceased man has not yet been released.
MORE TOPICS:
TRAMP CONFIRMS THE DEATH OF CHARLIE KIRK: “Great, legendary, now he is no longer with us…”
GREAT HOLIDAY AND RED LETTER DAY: Today we celebrate the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist!
Source: abc7chicago.com, Foto: Printscreen Video / abc7chicago.com