Roberto's Jewelers Targeted in Early Morning Union Ridge Commercial Crime Spree

CHICAGO, Illinois — Roberto's Jewelers, a long-time neighborhood establishment located in Chicago's Union Ridge community, was targeted in a destructive overnight burglary spree that hit multiple businesses along the 7000 block of West Higgins Avenue.

Brazen Attack Captured on Camera

The incident took place in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 23, 2025. Surveillance footage captured a group of five masked suspects arriving in a silver sedan at around 1:40 a.m. The perpetrators proceeded to target the front entrance of Roberto's Jewelers, located at 7005 W. Higgins Ave., using large rocks and concrete slabs to smash through the heavy glass storefront window.

Once inside, the suspects targeted the display cases containing valuable inventory. Due to robust secondary security systems implemented by the owners—who had previously experienced a major burglary in September 2020—the suspects faced significant difficulty accessing the main safes and high-value items. They ultimately fled the store with limited inventory before police arrived on the scene.

Police Response and Multi-Jurisdictional Pattern

Chicago Police Department officers from the 16th District responded to the business's automated silent alarm. Although the suspects had already fled eastbound on Higgins Avenue in the getaway vehicle, police immediately secured the scene and initiated a search of the surrounding area.

Detectives believe this incident is directly connected to several other break-ins that occurred in the same vicinity that morning, including a neighboring pizza restaurant and an attempted burglary at a chiropractic rehab clinic across the street. Area Five detectives are currently reviewing surveillance footage and processing the scene for forensic evidence.