Chicago police launch video portal to ID looting suspects

Seeking the public’s help in identifying looting suspects, the Chicago Police Department on Wednesday launched a web portal that will feature additional video footage of the widespread theft and property damage that overtook the downtown area and other neighborhoods this week.

More than 20 people have been charged so far in connection with the looting and destruction.

The new portal, chicagopolice.org/crime-video-archives/lootingcivil-unrest-videos/, will be continuously updated as additional footage and charging information comes in. Business owners and residents can also submit their own video footage to police through the portal. The site is operated by CPD detectives who are assigned to a new task force dedicated to the looting.

One of the videos already posted was recorded on a suspect’s own cellphone. The video shows two men, whose faces are clearly visible, attempting to break into an ATM.

“Detectives are asking everyone to look at these images,” CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said Wednesday, adding, “we really need everyone’s help to identify these offenders so we can arrest and charge them.”

Loop restrictions into weekend

The city will continue its nightly restrictions to downtown through the weekend in an effort to prevent further looting.

The restrictions — in place from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. each night until Monday morning, Aug. 17 — include raised bridges, a partial shutdown of Lake Shore Drive and expressway ramps and no CTA train service to the downtown area.

Residents and workers seeking to enter downtown are required to pass through “access points” where they will be required to “show identification or proof that they live in the area and/or work in the area,” OEMC said in a statement.