CHICAGO (WLS) — Surveillance video captured a suspect stealing from a downtown Chicago restaurant.
The theft happened shortly after noon Sunday at IL Culaccino in the 2100 block of South Indiana Avenue in South Loop, the owner said.
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Frank Ruffolo, the restaurant owner, was taken aback by the incident. It occurred in broad daylight while the eatery was bustling with lunchtime patrons.
The suspect came in right through the back door of the restaurant, coming away with some cash from the register and some alcohol.
Security cameras recorded the theft during midday in the vacant rear dining area. A man was observed rummaging through the cash register behind the bar, unnoticed by staff and diners focused elsewhere.
“It’s unbelievable. We had a fantastic turnout because of the marathon and celebrations,” Ruffolo explained. “This room was unoccupied. We were conducting extensive cleaning in preparation for dinner. The staff didn’t notice him. The chef only saw him after he dropped a liquor bottle as he left.”
Ruffolo says this is the second time this has happened there in the last three months.
The suspect left the scene on a bike before police arrived, he said. No one in the restaurant was hurt.
It’s a frustrating trend that has Ruffolo thinking twice about his businesses in Chicago.
“It’s clear why people are hesitant to go out. I’ve noticed the decline in our business due to crime, which is disheartening since we’re a local establishment,” Ruffolo remarked. “We enjoy being part of this community, yet these incidents prompt tough conversations about whether we should continue here. Is it worth the effort?”
Ruffolo has also faced similar issues at his other venue, Francos Ristorante in Bridgeport, which has been targeted three times in recent years.
“They cause more harm than anything,” Ruffolo noted. “There’s no cash to steal, nothing happening, but they take the risk anyway, just to see the outcome.”
The owner said he shared the surveillance video with Chicago police and they were able to take fingerprints that were left at the scene, but at this time no one is in custody.
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