Burglars ram SUV into HQ Sneakers and Streetwear store in Park Ridge after two previous break-in attempts

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (WLS) — A group of thieves used an SUV as a battering ram to break into a downtown Park Ridge business, following two other recent unsuccessful burglary attempts.

Although the store has a security gate, it was no match for a car speeding past.

The thieves stole shoes and other merchandise from HQ Sneakers and Streetwear, located on a retail and residential section of Northwest Highway.

“It's honestly a shame. When you come here, there's always a great atmosphere, a great positive energy,” said customer Adam Dabookali.

Dabookali is friends with the owner, who did not want to speak on camera.

“Compared to the city, something like this doesn’t happen every day,” he said.

The break-in occurred shortly after 4 a.m. After breaking through a security gate in a Jeep SUV, more thieves arrived in a white Dodge Durango. The perpetrators quickly went in and out of the store, stealing merchandise and targeting the cash register.

They left the stolen Jeep in the store and fled with the Durango parked in front of it.

The customers of the neighboring hair salon couldn't believe it.

“They want to raise their children here because there are nice schools here and you just don’t expect something like this,” said Oneall Yousef.

This is the third time in recent weeks that burglars have targeted the business, but the owner said in the other incidents they were unable to break in with a crowbar. This time they came with something bigger.

The store only opened in January. Before that, the owner said he had a location about a mile down the street in Chicago. That store was also robbed.