Single Mother’s Business Targeted by Burglars for Fifth Time in as Many Weeks

CHICAGO – A single mother is speaking out after her business was broken into overnight.

Sweet Treats Chicago Plagued by Burglaries

Meriza Perez’s business, Sweet Treats Chicago on South Ashland Avenue in Back of the Yards, has been struck by burglars for the fifth time in less than a month.

Perez’s Up-and-Down Experience

“Very up and down. It’s just been break-in after break-in…it’s just been very rocky,” Perez said.

According to Perez, the string of break-ins began before Christmas with a broken window and a burglarly.

Stolen Inventory, Broken Windows and Doors

“It’s like enough is enough, you know? I’m a single mom and everything I had is gone, all my inventory was stolen. All my windows, all my doors, everything that I worked so hard for. It’s devastating,” Perez said.

The most recent incident, which occurred on Monday night into Tuesday morning, saw the burglar tear down the wall separating Perez’s shop from the business next door, allowing them access to the storage area.

Perez Feeling Defeated, Hoping to Recover

“I just feel defeated. I’m still trying to deal with the aftereffects of last night’s burglary. I felt like I lost everything. Like, I said, it feels personal at this point,” said Perez.

“It’s a lot of sugary goodness laid out on the floor. Stuff that I really can’t even begin to tally up. There’s just nothing left,” added Perez.

Insurance Covers Bare Minimum, Perez Feels Alone

With her insurance only covering the bare minimum, Perez – a single mom – feels abandoned and left on her own. She is calling on the public for help as she tries to recover from these devastating events.

“It’s not just business, it’s my livelihood. This is how I take care of my kids. This is how I survive,” said Perez.

Lack of Assistance from Authorities, Community

WGN News reached out to the 20th Ward and has yet to receive a response. Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection to the burglaries.

Perez’s Plan to Move On

The single mother, however, plans to move on and rebuild despite the setbacks she has faced.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to aid Perez in recovering from the incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many break-ins has the business experienced this month?

A: Five. The first burglary occurred on Dec. 4, and then there were events on Dec. 22 and 25. The most recent incident happened Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Q: Will the business have to close because of the burglarly?

A: According to Perez, the business does not have any plans to shut down. While the recent theft has left many of the storage area’s products stolen, customers can still stop by and find a variety of sweet treats as usual.

Q: Was there any involvement from the neighborhood or local businesses?

A: So far, there has not been any explicit involvement from neighbors or local business owners. However, Perez is willing to work together with the neighborhood to prevent and solve the future burglaries if needed.

Q: Were there any physical injuries or eyewitnesses?

A: According to Perez, neither she nor the burglar faced any physical issues during the inciden