A group of Eastern European thieves suspected of targeting fitness centers across the country are now zeroing in on the Chicago suburbs.
At least five separate Chicago-area incidents have been linked to the group, including two in Barrington and one each in Maywood, Lake Forest and Highland Park.
According to the local NBC affiliate, the suspects hit the wellness center at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. They took cash, credit cards and spent approximately $30,000 on Apple products and high-end jewelry at the Oak Brook Center shopping mall.
Police are unsure how the group is able to gain access to the lockers.
Members of the Eastern European group have been linked to thefts in California, Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin, along with Illinois.
Police believe the crew of up to 20 people is based in California. Police say the group has managed to stay elusive by renting cars in their own names and using their own credit cards. They also stay in hotels and pay for meals using their own cards or cash.
