Chicago police are warning North Side residents about a series of thefts at businesses in Wicker Park and Lincoln Park.

In each incident, the thief talks to the victim and places a paper or pamphlet over the victim’s property, Chicago police said. Then, the thief steals the property and flees.

The thefts happened between 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. July 22 in the 1400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, the 1000 block of West North Avenue and the 1600 block of West Division Street.

Police described the suspect in these incidents as an African American man in his late 20s or early 30s with short black hair and a neck tattoo, standing between 5 feet, 5 inches and 5 feet, 7 inches and weighing between 120 and 140 pounds.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.