Chicago Hip Hop Artist 'Rhymefest' Robbed At Gunpoint
CHICAGO (CBS) -- American hip hop artist, philanthropist, and politician, Che Smith, otherwise known as Rhymefest, was robbed Saturday morning, around 7:30 a.m. at 43rd and Cottage Grove.
It's 730am. you just put a gun in my face for $3 in my wallet. I defend you against police brutality, I work on your behalf you robbed me
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Rhymefest, who resides in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood, drove to his local police station to report the robbery.
"Someone jumped in my car, while I was sitting in my car," Rhymefest told police. "They put a gun to my head. They demanded that I give them my wallet. I gave them my wallet; they told me they were going to shoot me."
Rhymefest gave the robber his wallet.
Rhymefest is in shock from the action.
You don't know what you did! And who you did it to. I lived here on the southside because I thought it mattered. I'm reconsidering
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
He is asking for the person that stole his wallet to reach out to him.
When you look in my Wallet & see the name Che Smith on the ID. DM me, yes contact me apologize and talk to me like a brother.
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Give me faith that it's our desperation & not our hearts thatre dark. The man who robbed me I want to reach out to me If I know him tell him
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Rhymefest also took to Twitter to share his experience at his local police station. He tweeted, "You wonder we don't report crimes? The police treated me disgustingly."
You wonder we don't report crimes? The police treated me disgustingly pic.twitter.com/fY9VQrqDpz
— Rhymefest (@RHYMEFEST) August 27, 2016
Rhymefest is a multiple Grammy and Oscar award winning songwriter. He is the co-founder of Donda House, providing youth with arts instruction. Rhymfest also models for Kenneth Cole.
Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi apologized to Rhymefest.
disappointing to say the least. On behalf of CPD, I apologize for how you were treated. We will be addressing this today.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) August 27, 2016
"We are disappointed to say the least. Chief of Patrol Fred Waller called the victim this afternoon to apologize on behalf of the department for how he was treated and stressed that detectives will begin the investigation into the robbery immediately," Guglielmi wrote in an email. "Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson also directed Chief Waller to address this issue with the officers in that district today."