The Geneva Police Department is investigating 12 businesses that were burglarized early March 1 along the Randall Road corridor.
A Geneva Police officer on patrol discovered a burglarized business at 2:22 a.m. in the 1700 block of South Randall Road. The offender(s) used an object, possibly a brick or a fire extinguisher, to break out the storefront glass to gain entry.
At the same time, police received a call regarding a suspicious vehicle in close proximity to the burglarized business. Batavia Police officers responded to provide assistance and attempted to stop the vehicle believed to be involved in the crime.
The driver refused to pull over for Batavia Police officers and deputies from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was last seen heading eastbound on Interstate 88. An investigation led to the discovery the fleeing vehicle had been reported stolen.
Geneva Police officers later found 11 additional businesses in the surrounding area had been burglarized. The storefront glass was broken in all 12 incidents, and the offender(s) grabbed as much merchandise as they could before moving on to the next store.
Businesses were burglarized in the following locations:
- Three on the east side of the 1700 block of South Randall Road;
- Five on the west side of the 1700 block of South Randall Road; and
- Four in Geneva Commons, 1000 block of Commons Drive.
The crimes remain under investigation. An itemized list of stolen merchandise still is being compiled. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.
The burglaries serve as an important reminder to residents to lock their car doors since stolen vehicles often are used to commit other crimes. People who witness suspicious activity in their neighborhood or commercial areas should call 911 immediately to report the incident. When information is conveyed to authorities promptly, police can provide a faster emergency response that may be the key to solving the crime.