# Thieves posing as charity workers steal from diners at restaurants, coffee shops in major city

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/thieves-posing-as-charity-workers-steal-from-diners-at-restaurants-coffee-shops-in-major-city/
- Published: 2026-10-23T19:33:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T20:25:10+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/thieves-posing-charity-workers-steal-from-diners-restaurants-coffee-shops-major-city
- Topics: Culture, Food, World

## Key points

- Police report eight restaurant and café thefts in Chicago.
- Suspects allegedly used flyers or newspapers to hide stolen items.
- Diners are urged to keep valuables secured and within sight.

## Summary

Chicago police have warned diners after eight thefts at restaurants and coffee shops in which people posing as charity fundraisers allegedly stole customers’ belongings. The incidents took place in the Loop, West Loop and Near South Side between 7 and 18 October.

Police say the suspects covered wallets, purses or phones with flyers or newspapers while talking to diners, then took the items and left. In some cases, victims’ bank or credit cards were used soon afterwards at nearby department stores. Police described suspects in several incidents as wearing dark clothes and face coverings, and identified a white Buick and black Mazda sedan as linked to the cases.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.