Overview
- Police arrested 26-year-old Ricardo Bryant and charged him with multiple counts of burglary and possession of burglary tools after linking him to airbag thefts on the West Side.
- The arrest is only the second publicly known charge tied to a yearlong surge that local reporting says has left more than 2,000 Chicago drivers without airbags.
- Investigators say the thefts targeted vehicles in the Near West Side and West Loop and that officials will release more details on how Bryant was identified.
- Industry and law-enforcement groups say high factory costs and parts shortages make new airbags about $1,000 while stolen units are listed locally for $120 to $400, creating a strong financial incentive for thieves.
- City officials have moved forward with an ordinance to force shops to discard used airbags and bar purchases from private sellers, but police and aldermen say inspections and better investigative resources will be needed to stop the wider market and protect consumers.