Intruder Steals Entire ATM in Brighton Park Restaurant Break-In

CHICAGO, IL — Police are searching for a burglar who broke into a neighborhood restaurant in Brighton Park and made off with an entire ATM unit on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours in the Southwest Side neighborhood. According to police, the suspect forced entry through a door or window of the dining establishment. Once inside, the intruder bypassed other electronic equipment and register systems, focusing directly on the restaurant's free-standing ATM.

Swift Theft Before Police Arrival

The burglar managed to dislodge the heavy automated teller machine and transport it out of the building. The suspect had already fled the scene by the time Chicago Police officers arrived in response to a commercial burglary alarm. It is suspected that the individual had a vehicle parked nearby to facilitate the transport of the bulky and heavy cash machine.

Brighton Park business owners expressed concern over the incident, noting that ATM thefts not only cost businesses the cash box but also lead to substantial property damage and downtime during repair. Detectives from Area One are investigating the burglary and are requesting any surveillance footage from nearby businesses or residential doorbells that may have captured the suspect or a getaway vehicle.