Crime & Safety
Caught on Camera: Thieves Snatch iPhones From Lincoln Avenue Store
The trio distracted employees while reaching behind the front counter to steal multiple iPhones. In-store surveillance cameras filmed them the entire time.
By Andy Ambrosius
A trio of thieves hit up Lincoln Avenue's Universal Sole Running Store Sunday afternoon, not to steal merchandise, but employees' cell phones.
In footage obtained by CBS and ABC, the thieves are seen walking into the business around 2 p.m. Acting as potential customers, two of them corner store employee Matt Tugender while the third lingers in the background.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
That’s when ABC Chicago says he reaches behind the counter to grab one iPhone hidden under a binder. Moments later he reaches again to unplug a second phone before walking out the door.
“Literally, within an hour of this happening, a police report was filed, the e-mails were sent to the police department and today we sent it to the alderman just telling him 'hey, here’s the footage,'” store owner Joel Feinberg told CBS Chicago.
Find out what's happening in Lincoln Squarewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It all went down in a matter of about 10 minutes.
The small running store is located at 3052 N. Lincoln Ave.
It has four cameras installed inside, and Feinberg says he hopes the footage will help catch the thieves. If you recognize the three men, police ask that you call 911.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
