Crime & Safety

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Evanston police are seeking a man who fled from officers early Tuesday morning after an attempted bike theft. They believe he may also be responsible for several car burglaries.

are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspected burglar and identifying the missing property they found after an attempted bike theft. 

Police discovered a backpack full of items they believe were stolen by one or two suspects in an attempted bicycle theft that took place early Tuesday morning, according to a press release from the department. 

Around 1 a.m. on Sept. 11, Evanston Police responded to the intersection of Maple Avenue and Hamlin Street to help a Northwestern University Police officer who was chasing two suspects, according to a release from the police department.

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The Northwestern police officer was chasing one suspect on foot after he saw him drop a bicycle and run away, but lost track of him by the time Evanston Police arrived. Another Northwestern officer was able to track down the second suspect, who had been carrying a backpack. He was hiding on a back porch in the 800 block of Foster Street.

Police found the backpack lying nearby and discovered several items they believe have been stolen in unreported car burglaries, according to the release. No one has come forward, and police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the property.

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Stolen items include:

  • a Nikon CoolPix camera with a black finish
  • a Garmin Nuvi 270 GPS with charger
  • a small flashlight with a silver finish
  • a small, clear plastic Gladware bowl with a lid containing $14 in coins
  • several bags of snack chips, including Sun Chips, Cheetos and Doritos

The suspect who was taken into custody is 14 years old and was charged with violating curfew, according to the release. Both Evanston and Northwestern University police are working together to identify the second suspect and the property owner or owners.

Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to call the Evanston Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau at 847-866-5050. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text message to CRIMES (274637) with “EPDTIP” in the message line, followed by the message.


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