Full Notification

Business Crime Alert
In the last 10 days, Bensenville has experienced three robberies. The victim establishments were a gas station and two restaurants. There is no evidence directly relating the cases so it is unknown if any of the cases are related or not. In one case, a handgun was displayed. In the others, it was implied. In each case, the offenders took United States currency from the cash registers before fleeing on foot. The particulars are as follows:

· Sunday, November 27, 2017 at 4:11 PM at the Marathon Gas Station located at 647 S. York Road. The offender was described as a male wearing a green mask and jacket said that he had a weapon and demanded the money from the cash register. A witness who saw the offender fleeing on foot described the offender as a male white with red hair, about 5’10” tall, 170 pounds, and about 35 years of age.

· Monday, November 28, 2017 at 8:25 PM at the Taqueria Los Maizales Restaurant at 1221 W. Irving Park Road. The offender displayed a handgun and took money from the cash register before fleeing on foot. He was described as a male Hispanic about 5’7” tall, thin build and about 40 year of age. He had a moustache and was wearing a blue hat and blue coat. He had either chipped front teeth or a gap between his front teeth. He spoke Spanish.

· Tuesday, December 6, 2017 at 9:28 PM at Mr. Burrito Restaurant at 570 W. Irving Park Road. The offender was described as a male wearing a black ski mask and a black hoody held his hand under his hoody as if he was holding a weapon and demanded the money from the cash register. Once the cashier gave him the money, he fled on foot. The offender was described as a male white about 6’1” tall, 200 pounds and with blue eyes.

Employees and employers should remain alert and observant.

Several things to watch for:

• Suspicious persons or vehicles around the business
• People wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather
Have a plan. Have regular safety meetings to develop and discuss your "plan". Some of the elements of a good plan include:
• Employee demeanor during a robbery (do not resist)
• How to notify the police
• An escape route
• How to obtain a suspect description
• How to obtain a vehicle description and license plate number
• Have prearranged signals between employees
• How to activate alarms
• When not to activate an alarm.

The cash register should be visible from outside the store. A clear view to the register from the street or parking lot assists officers and the general public to see inside.

Mark the edge of the main doorway with measuring tape. This will help in obtaining a more accurate height of the robber.

Keep cash at a minimum.

Periodically test video surveillance equipment to verify it is in proper working order.

Consider the installation of video cameras or alarm systems if you do not already have them.