CHICAGO (WLS) — This week has seen a surge in criminal activity as thieves target local businesses across the city.

In the early hours of Thursday, a group of burglars broke into a GameStop on Cermak Road, swiftly followed by a hit on El Taconazo Restaurant, located just steps away in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood.

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Meanwhile, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream on 47th Street in Bronzeville experienced a similar ordeal on Thursday morning.

The owner of the ice cream shop reported receiving an alert from his alarm company in the middle of the night.

Upon his arrival, he discovered that the cash register had been stolen, along with the safes.

According to Chicago police, these incidents on Cermak Road are part of a larger wave of burglaries affecting the area.

In each incident, two to four men between 20 and 30 year old, wearing dark-colored hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants and ski masks, forcibly entered businesses after breaking the front glass door, Chicago police said.

Once inside, suspects stole money in safes and cash registers, CPD said.

In one incident, one of the suspects pointed a gun and threatened to shoot the unsuspecting victim as he arrived to work and entered into the business, according to police.

A stolen gray 2011 Infiniti four-door sedan and a black 2017 Infiniti four-door sedan were identified as being used by the suspects in a majority of incidents.

The crimes took place at the following times and locations:

– 3300-block of North Broadway at 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 5 (Lake View East)
– 7100-block of North Ridge Boulevard at 3:32 a.m. on Nov. 5 (West Ridge)
– 600-block of West Washington Boulevard at 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 (West Loop)
– 400-block of South Wells Street at 5 a.m. on Nov. 5 (Chicago Loop)
– 1900-block of South State Street at 4:58 a.m. on Nov. 7 (Near South Side)
– 2000-block of South Clark Street at 5:04 a.m. on Nov. 7 (South Loop)
– 500-block West Harrison Street at 5:40 a.m. on Nov. 7 (Near West Side)
– 6100-block of North Milwaukee Avenue at 5:04 a.m. on Nov. 15 (Norwood Park)
– 6700-block of North Northwest Highway at 5:21 a.m. on Nov. 15 (Edison Park)
– 3400-block of North Elston Avenue at 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 (Avondale)
– 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3:11 a.m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving)
– 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3:11 a.m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving)
– 4300-block of West Irving Park Road at 3:54 a.m. on Nov. 20 (Old Irving)
– 2300-block of West Cermak Road at 4:25 a.m. on Nov. 20 (Lower West Side)
– 2300-block of West Cermak Road at 4:27 a.m. on Nov. 20 (Lower West Side)
– 800-block of West Jackson Boulevard at 4:41 a.m. on Nov. 20 (West Loop)

Anyone with information should call Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263.

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