Arrests
Smash and grab burglars have hit Brown Sugar Bakery in Greater Grand Crossing twice in one month breaking the front windows and stealing a cash register that contained no money. Owner Stephanie Hart shared an emotional video asking the thieves why they keep targeting her bakery. No arrests have been made.
Published
42 minutes ago
on
August 25, 2026
Brown Sugar Bakery owner Stephanie Hart surveys the damage after smash and grab burglars struck her Greater Grand Crossing bakery for the second time in one month on August 25, 2026. (Stephanie Hart / Facebook)
Stephanie Hart has poured years of her life into Brown Sugar Bakery on East 75th Street in Greater Grand Crossing.
She has created jobs, supported families, and built a business the entire South Side community cherishes.
On Tuesday morning, she woke up to find her bakery had been broken into again.
Brown Sugar Bakery
What Happened
Shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday, four males broke the front window of Brown Sugar Bakery in the 300 block of East 75th Street, according to Chicago Police.
They took a cash register and sped off westbound on 75th Street in a gray sedan.
The cash register contained no money. The suspects also took parts of the computerized point-of-sale system.
Brown Sugar Bakery
It was the second time the bakery had been targeted in a month.
A community member who witnessed the incident called police immediately. Hart publicly thanked them on social media.
Brown Sugar Bakery
Hart said in her video that a business called 606 was also hit during the same incident.
She said four people in masks struck four different locations on 75th Street that morning.
The Owner Speaks
Hart shared the news on social media with a video showing the smashed front windows and door.
She said she was devastated to share that Brown Sugar Bakery had been broken into once again, the storefront glass was shattered, and parts of the point-of-sale system were stolen despite containing no cash.
In the video, Hart spoke directly to her community. She said it was tough.
She said she would not let it get her down.
She said the previous break-in three weeks ago had left her feeling more positive, but this second hit was harder to process.
She asked her community to send thoughts, prayers, and motivation to keep going.
She said whoever called the police deserved her deepest thanks.
She also asked the people responsible a question that needed no answer. For what are you breaking into my bakery? She asked. Like, why are you doing it? Like, for what?
No Arrests
No one is currently in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Area One Detectives or submit an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com or by calling 1-800-535-7867.
Chicago Crime Chaser extends its support to Stephanie Hart and the entire Brown Sugar Bakery community. Keep going, Stephanie.
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