Hinsdale Police Believe Gateway Square Burglaries Related

The has for several months been investigating a series of forced-entry retail burglaries at Gateway Square, according to Hinsdale Deputy Chief Mark Wodka.

Wodka said Tuesday that the department has recently interviewed suspects and “persons of interest,” but no charges have been filed.

The offenses include two break-ins at Avenue Eyecare in July, where two racks of sunglasses were taken after an unknown suspect shattered the store’s glass front door. Another incident took place in October, an unknown suspect broke the glass front door of Prime and Tender Meats and stole $3,400 in cash from the store’s register.

Wodka said the department believes the incidents are related because of their Gateway Square locations, similar late-evening times, and because officers found signs of forced entry at each site.

Wodka said Gateway Square might be appealing to burglars because its stores close in the early evening.

“There’s less motorists and vehicles and pedestrian walking or using that area,” Wodka said.

Wodka said the shopping center’s location at the intersection of two busy roads, Ogden Avenue and York Road, makes for an easy getaway.