The Chicago Police Department announced a noticeable increase in electric scooter thefts, reporting at least seven incidents in the last two months. Officers say a single individual has been targeting scooters by carving out the ignition, allowing the machines to be started without a key. The alert, issued on Saturday evening, follows a pattern of thefts that has spread across several city neighborhoods, with a recent concentration in the Lincoln Square area.
According to the department, the method involves physically removing or cutting away the ignition component, a technique that bypasses the standard security features of most rental and privately owned scooters. By doing so, the perpetrator can start the vehicle without the original key, making the theft appear as a simple disappearance rather than a forced entry. Police have not released a description of the suspect, but they emphasize that the modification is detectable upon close inspection of the scooter's front assembly.
The surge has prompted the police to issue an advisory to scooter owners and rental companies, urging them to check ignition systems regularly and report any signs of tampering. The advisory also recommends parking scooters in well‑lit, monitored areas whenever possible. While the department has not disclosed any arrests, investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the affected neighborhoods and have increased patrols in locations where the thefts have been reported.
Lincoln Square, one of the neighborhoods highlighted in the alert, experienced a cluster of incidents within the past few weeks, raising concerns among local residents and businesses that rely on scooter traffic. The department’s spokesperson noted that the pattern suggests a single operator rather than a coordinated group, but the investigation remains ongoing. Residents are asked to stay vigilant and contact authorities if they notice scooters with altered ignitions or other suspicious activity.
The police continue to monitor the situation and will update the public as new information becomes available.