Man charged with 4 North Side burglaries after building manager spots him stealing packages

A Lakeview building manager’s quick 911 call led to the arrest of a suspected serial burglar who is accused of committing multiple burglaries on the North Side since January. Devin Ford, a 26-year-old resident of Uptown, now faces charges related to a string of residential break-ins.

The building manager contacted 911 around 1 p.m. on March 19 after witnessing Ford stealing packages from two buildings he oversees, one located in the 500 block of West Addison Street and the other in the 3500 block of North Pine Grove Avenue, as per a Chicago Police Department report.

Upon arrival, officers spotted Ford walking down Pine Grove Avenue with a suitcase and promptly detained him. Ford confessed to taking packages from at least one of the buildings and a search revealed that he was carrying two screwdrivers and a pry bar, according to the report.

Video footage obtained by CPD allegedly shows Ford using a pry tool to forcibly open locked doors at both buildings. Detectives were able to connect Ford to a burglary that occurred on January 21 at a residential building in the 800 block of West Diversey Parkway, during which a $2,300 e-bike was stolen. Additionally, Ford is charged with burglarizing a residential building in the 500 block of West Fullerton Parkway on February 20.

Despite the charges, prosecutors did not seek detention, and Judge John Hock released Ford to await trial.

CWBChicago, a platform dedicated to providing original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets, first reported this incident. Founded in 2013 by residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown, CWBChicago’s coverage area now includes Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side areas.

For more exclusive, original reporting on public safety issues, consider supporting CWBChicago’s work. You can reach their editorial team at news@cwbchicago.com.