Police warn not to confront car burglars as they are often armed after masked man points gun at Jefferson Park woman during theft

by BRIAN NADIG

The 16th (Jefferson Park) Police District is reminding residents not to confront car burglars outside their homes as they are often armed and call 911 instead.

The warning comes after a woman reported that a masked man pointed a gun at her after she attempted to leave her home during a catalytic converter theft at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, near Lawrence and Central avenues, according to police.

The woman reportedly went back inside her home as soon as she saw the gun, and no shots were fired, police said. At least two converters were reported stolen from the area, police said.

Two masked men were reported seen around parked cars in the area, but an additional description was not available.

A similar incident happened in the neighboring 17th (Albany Park) Police District recently. A woman reported that three men stole a catalytic converter at about 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, in the 5900 block of North Jersey Avenue, police said.

The woman reported that she heard a buzzing noise outside of her home, went outside and saw three men near her vehicle, according to police. The woman reported that one of the men pointed a handgun with a red laser at her so she fled to her back yard, police said.

The woman reported that she saw the men had her car lifted on a jack and her husband heard her scream and saw that the three men fled south on Jersey in a black or charcoal colored vehicle after they removed the catalytic converter, police said.

Police officials have said that in recent years it is not unusual for thieves to be armed and to point their weapons at people when confronted.

Last month, a man exchanged gunfire with an armed masked man at about 5:25 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in the 4900 block of North Major Avenue, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police.

The man reported that when he returned home he saw a white Infiniti parked in the street, according to police. The man reported that when he returned to his vehicle to gather more belongings he saw the same Infiniti parked near one of his other vehicles, according to police.

The man reported that the Infiniti reversed and he saw there were four to five men inside and one of the men exited holding a rifle, police said.

The man reported that the man pointed the rifle at him so he opened fire with his handgun and they exchanged gunfire until the man with the rifle fled to the Infiniti and the car fled east on West Goodman Street, according to police.

Officers recovered 15 spent 9-millimeter shell casings and six spent 40-caliber shell casings, police said.

The offenders were described only as wearing ski masks.

About two years ago gunfire erupted in the 5600 block of North Milwaukee Avenue when a second-floor apartment resident yelled at thieves who were tampering with his vehicle. More than 20 shots were fired into his apartment. No one was injured.

Also in the Gladstone Park area, about a year ago a man was held at gunpoint on his front lawn while thieves finished burglarizing the car.

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