[VIDEO] Evanston police say they responded to an upsurge in burglaries last fall by providing a place this year for thieves to unload their loot while being filmed on hidden cameras.

Several police agencies cooperated for three months to set up and run a pawn shop in a store in the 1600 block of Emerson Street. They say the operation led them to file theft and drug charges against 29 people this month — and that more charges are expected.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says the shop proved very convenient, drawing a lot of repeat customers.

Police are looking to reunite crime victims — including the owner of an autographed Dick Butkus Chicago Bears jersey — with their missing stuff.

Victims can view items at Evanston police headquarters from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week … and should bring a police report and other information identifying the property.

Police from Wilmette, Skokie, Lincolnwood Niles and Waukegan participated in the sting operation along with Evanston police and county sheriff’s deputies.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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1 Comment

  1. This happened before
    Good work. I recall a similar operation on the 800 block of Custer in the 1980s. Similar number of arrests.

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