ATM, Cash Register Drawers Stolen From Businesses: Police

NORTH AURORA, IL — The North Aurora Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down five suspects wanted in two smash and grab burglaries that occurred early Thursday. The suspects are accused of targeting ATMs and cash registers at businesses on North Aurora's east side.

Officers responded to the first burglary alarm at a Citgo gas station, 13 N. River Road, at 1:53 a.m. with a second burglary alarm reported at 1:55 a.m. at Jay's Wine and Liquors, 188 Butterfield Road. At both locations, officers found smashed glass in the front door, according to a news release from the police department.

The cash drawers were also stolen from both locations, police said, and the ATM machine was missing from the Citgo, according to a news release from the North Aurora Police Department.

Officers reviewed video surveillance at both locations. During the liquor store smash and grab, a blue Kia Sportage with silver wheels or wheel covers arrived at 1:49 a.m. One suspect smashed the glass door while a second suspect kicked it, smashing the glass, according to the news release.

The suspects tried to take the ATM but were unable to remove it since it was bolted to the floor, authorities said. They then took the cash register, leaving at about 1:51 a.m.

Police say video at the Citgo shows a blue Kia Sportage arriving at 1:51 a.m. A suspect wearing a white mask, gray hoodie with its hood pulled up, black pants and gray gloves then used an object, possibly a crow bar, to smash the glass in the front door.

The suspects took the ATM machine, which was not bolted to the floor, and put it in the trunk of the vehicle, authorities said. They also took the cash register drawer and left at 1:52 a.m.

Police provided the following descriptions of the other four suspects in the smash grab:

• A person wearing a black mask, a white and gray hoodie, black pants and black gloves.
• A person wearing a black hoodie, gray pants with a black strip and bright orange gloves.
• A person wearing a black hoodie, black pants and black gloves.
• The driver who was wearing a light gray hoodie, white mask and light-colored gloves

Officers later found out that the blue Kia Sportage was reported stolen out of Wisconsin. The police department released several photos obtained from video surveillance of the smash and grab burglary at the Citgo.

Anyone with information regarding the smash and grabs are asked to call the Investigations Division at 630-897-8705, extension 610. Anonymous tips may be left by calling 630-897-8705 and choosing option 3.

Those with information can also call Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000 and receive a reward for information leading to a felony arrest.