Man Who Says Home Was Ransacked After Christmas Pushes Back on CPD Announcement of Reduced Crime

A Chicago homeowner is decrying the police department’s announcement this week that crime is down.

Pericles Abbasi says his home was broken into and police did little to try to catch the suspect. Chicago police said Thursday burglaries are down 10 percent this year compared to last. But Abbasi, he’s not buying it.

For two days, Abbasi has left his Galewood home just as thieves left it: mail on the floor, mattress toppled, glass broken.

"(I'm) holding out hope that someone will come over and investigate," he said.

On Wednesday, Abbasi returned from work to find his home on the 6900 block of West Wabansia Avenue ransacked.

"It’s the day after Christmas, I’m guessing they’re hitting houses because people have gifts and things like that," he said.

Abbasi said thieves stole a brand new TV and cash. He called 911 but he says it took three hours for officers to get there.

Even worse, Abbasi says no evidence was collected, despite what he calls an obvious footprint and possible fingerprints.

"At least come get the evidence," he said. "I don’t know what will happen in the next house they break into. Someone could get hurt."

The Chicago Police Department said it has a clear policy on how officers respond to reports of a break-in or burglary.

"During the preliminary investigation of a burglary, Department members will determine the type and likelihood of recovering physical evidence and request the presence of an evidence technician at the scene when their services are needed," a Chicago police spokesman said. "Officers will also conduct a canvass of the area which can include contacting neighbors looking for any suspicious activity during the time frame and also attempting to identify any possible video evidence in the area."

Chicago police said they were looking into the specifics of Abbasi's allegations.