Investigators in the north suburbs say several thieves were responsible for a very rapid string of burglaries early Friday morning.
Police in Highland Park say five thieves smashed their way through the front doors or windows of six businesses in the suburb's downtown and three more along Skokie Valley Road. Investigators say the vehicle used in the thefts was stolen and was also linked to a commercial burglary shortly afterward in Deerfield.
Ryan Gamperl owns Michael's Grill and Salad Bar, 1879 Second St, which was one of the businesses robbed. He says the thieves were in and out quickly.
"It was so fast, (but) fortunately there was no contact ... the people in the back didn't even know it had happened until the police were already there."
Investigators say it took about a half hour for the thieves to hit all the businesses, and the thefts are similar to other burglaries in North Shore communities.
Police say the thieves spent only about 30 seconds to a minute in each business and looked for whatever cash they could find before leaving. Gamperl says the thieves didn't take much from his business, but caused "a couple thousand dollars" in damages. At last check, police have made no arrests.