A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired read story
Thieves stealing airbags from Honda Civics
Twelve airbag thefts all from Honda Civic vehicles were reported on the Northwest Side between about 2:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police.
It’s part of a national trend in which the devices are being sold on the black market.
CWB Chicago reports that the thefts are driven by the price gap between legitimate and illicit airbags, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The agency reports that approximately 50,000 airbags are stolen annually nationwide.
It’s cheaper to get an airbag on the black market.
Thefts were reported in the 3800 block of North Narragansett Avenue, the 4800 block of North Linder Avenue, the 5400 and 5500 blocks of West Edmunds Street, the 4900 block of West Cullom Avenue, the 3600 block of North Long Avenue, the 4900 block of West Montrose Avenue, the 4900 block of North Lester Avenue, the 4400 block of North Lacrosse Avenue, the 3300 block of North Lamon Avenue, the 6100 block of West Higgins Avenue and in the 3800 block of North Central Avenue, according to police.
The Chicago Police Department issued the following statement about thefts of airbags citywide:
Community Alert
This alert gives notice of recent burglaries from motor vehicles in Near West Side, Lower West Side, Bucktown, Tri Taylor, Lake Front, Up Town, Portage Park and Jefferson Park neighborhoods within the 12th (Near West), 14th (Shakespeare), 019th (Up Town) and 016th (Jefferson Park) Districts.
In the incidents below, the offenders targeted late model Honda motor vehicles by breaking the driver side windows, with a blunt object or pry tool, and removing the airbags from the steering wheel. The owners reported the incidents after finding the damage to their vehicles. The burglaries occurred during overnight hours.
INCIDENT DATES AND LOCATIONS
- 800 block of West 16th St. between December 21, 2025 at 04:00 pm and December 22, 2025 at 08:05 am (Near West Side)
- 900 block of West 18th St. between December 21, 2025 at 09:00 pm and December 22, 2025 at 09:30 am (Lower West Side)
- 2200 block of West Mclean Ave between December 21, 2025 at 04:00 pm and December 22, 2025 at 06:30 am (Bucktown)
- 2000 block of West Armitage Ave between January 14, 2026 at 04:30 pm and January 15, 2026 at 05:30 am (Bucktown)
- 2300 block West Flournoy Ave between January 15, 2026 at 09:00 pm and January 17, 2026 at 11:30 am (Tri-Taylor)
- 3900 block of North Recreation Dr. between January 21, 2026 at 04:00 pm and January 22, 2026 at 12:00 am (Lake Front)
- 3900 block of North Recreation Dr. between January 21, 2026 at 07:30 pm and January 22, 2026 at 06:40 am (Lake Front)
- 4700 block of North Marine Dr. between January 21, 2026 at 07:30 pm and January 22, 2026 at 08:50 am (UpTown)
- 4300 block of North Marine Dr.on January 22, 2026 at 02:56 am (UpTown)
- 4900 block of West Cullom Ave between January 30, 2026 at 08:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 06:00am (Portage Park)
- 3600 block of North Long Ave between January 30, 2026 at 11:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 08:10 am (Portage Park)
- 4900 block of West Montrose Ave between January 30, 2026 at 05:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 09:00am (Portage Park)
- 5400 block of West Edmunds St on January 30, 2026 between 12:00am and 09:15 am (Jefferson Park)
- 4900 block of North Lester Ave between January 30, 2026 at 07:20 pm and January 31, 2026 at 09:45 am (Jefferson Park)
- 4400 block of North La Crosse Ave on January 31, 2026 between 12:00 am and 10:50 am (Portage Park)
- 4800 block of North Linder Ave between January 25, 2026 08:00 pm and January 26, 2026 at 12:00 pm (Jefferson Park)
- 5500 block of West Edmunds St between January 30, 2026 at 11:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 03:00 pm (Jefferson Park)
- 3300 block of North Lamon Ave between January 30, 2026 at 10:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 02:00 pm (Portage Park)
- 6100 block of West Higgins Ave between January 30, 2026 at 08:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 04:00 pm (Jefferson Park)
- 3800 block of North Central Ave between January 30, 2026 at 04:00 pm and January 31, 2026 at 04:30 pm (Portage Park)
OFFENDER DESCRIPTION
One to two males wearing jump suits, possible driving a red Ford F-150, unknown license plate and GMC Black pick-up truck with Dealer Plates that were reported stolen.
At this time, unknown offender and vehicle description for burglary to motor vehicle incidents which occurred in the 016th District.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Vehicle owners should invest in an ANTI THEFT device for the steering wheel that lays over the (Air Bag) center of the steering wheel to prevent theft.
- Be aware of this crime and alert family and friends who live in the area.
- Pay special attention to any suspicious person(s) lingering in the area.
- If you are confronted by an assailant, remain calm.
- If you are a victim, do not touch anything and contact the police immediately.
- Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of the offender(s), including a vehicle description and license plate information.
- If approached by a witness to an incident, request they remain on the scene when possible or obtain contact information.
If you have any information, please contact Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263 or Area Five Detectives at (312) 312-746-7394.
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