Shop and restaurant owners along Skokie Boulevard, Wilmette Avenue and Evanston's Central Street spent Nov. 12 boarding up shattered storefronts.

Police are investigating burglaries, attempted burglaries and property damage affecting 25 businesses in Wilmette and Evanston early Thursday, Nov. 12. In Wilmette, 16 businesses were burglarized or targeted between 3:45 a.m. and 4:09 a.m., according to a Wilmette Police Department press release. Nine of those were in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. Seven more were in Wilmette's Village Center, in the 1100 blocks of Wilmette and Central avenues. The department said burglars targeted cash at each location.

Across the border in Evanston, nine storefronts along Central Street reported smashed glass and break-ins around 4 a.m., according to an Evanston Police Department press release. The Wilmette press release put the Evanston count at eight. Evanston police listed nine affected businesses by name.

Evanston detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and investigating a possible connection to the Wilmette incidents, according to Evanston police.

Wilmette police said a preliminary investigation points to a single group operating out of one vehicle. That vehicle had been reported stolen earlier the same morning from Oak Forest in the southwest suburbs, according to the department.

Six Wilmette officers responded to the Skokie Boulevard location at 3:47 a.m. Surveillance footage showed the burglars were on that block for less than five minutes, the department said. At 4:09 a.m., a witness reported the sound of breaking glass in the Village Center. Two officers spotted a vehicle within blocks and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled south onto Interstate 94 from Lake Avenue.

A Chicago Police helicopter later located the vehicle. Officers observed several people fleeing on foot, according to Wilmette police. The vehicle was recovered and is being processed for evidence. No arrests had been made as of Nov. 12.

Affected businesses

The Evanston Police Department listed the nine affected Central Street businesses: Mustard's Last Stand, The Spot, Preston's Flowers, Hewn Bakery, Pinto Thai, Bluestone, Christian Science Reading Room, Custom Eyes and Spice House. In Wilmette, the department did not release a full list, but the Tribune identified Pit & Tap, Central Station Coffee & Tea, Panera Bread and Cocomero Frozen Yogurt among those hit.

Pit & Tap said in a Nov. 12 Instagram post that it closed for lunch to clean up after the burglary and planned to reopen at 2:30 p.m. No one was injured, the restaurant said. It thanked the community for its support and encouraged customers to patronize other affected small businesses in Wilmette.

Wilmette police said the burglaries follow a regional pattern in which groups carry out a high volume of break-ins in a short period, smashing windows or glass doors and searching for cash. Both departments said they are collaborating with regional law enforcement agencies.

Anyone with information can contact Evanston police at 847-866-5000 or text CRIMES to 275637, beginning the message with EPDTIP.