String of robberies and armed carjackings reported across the city
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Several people were robbed, and others were carjacked overnight in the city.
As CBS 2's Tara Molina reported Monday, we have tracked at least seven robberies Sunday night into Monday morning across several neighborhoods – in particular Wicker Park and Bucktown. These are on top of the robberies that happened over the weekend, leaving dozens victimized and some of the victims injured.
The latest robberies happened at the following times and locations:
- At 9:44 p.m. Sunday, a man and woman told officers they were robbed in the 2200 block of West Hirsch Street in Wicker Park. They said the robbers got out of a dark-colored sedan and approached them on the sidewalk. The robbers punched the man several times and the victims' belongings were taken before the robbers got back in the car and fled the scene. The male victim refused medical attention.
- At 9:50 p.m. Sunday, a 67-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were walking in the 2000 block of North Hoyne Avenue in Bucktown when three male robbers exited a blue sedan. One of the robbers demanded the victims' belonging at the point of a handgun. The victims complied, but one of the robbers punched the older man several times anyway. The man was taken to Ascension Saint Mary Hospital in good condition.
- At 9:55 p.m. Sunday in the 2100 block of North Hoyne Avenue in Bucktown, a 35-year-old man was approached by three robbers in a blue sedan who demanded his belongings. The victim refused and was beaten by the robbers. He was taken to Ascension Saint Mary Hospital in good condition.
- At 10:31 p.m. Sunday, two women – ages 23 and 44 – told officers they were in the 1300 block of West Randolph Street in the West Loop, two male robbers got out of a white sport-utility vehicle and demanded their personal belongings at gunpoint. The older woman complied, but the younger victim refused and was attacked and kicked. She was taken to Rush University Medical Center in good condition.
- At 10:50 p.m. Sunday, a 33-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint in the 3000 block of North Lamon Avenue in Belmont Cragin. The man said he was approached by two robbers, one of whom demanded his belongings at the point of a handgun. The victim complied, and the robbers left on foot.
- At 12:27 a.m. Monday, a 24-year-old man was outside walking in the 600 block of South Wells Street in the South Loop when got out of a dark-colored sedan and ordered him not to move. The victims fled on foot and the victim was not injured. This incident is classified as an attempted robbery.
- At 4:53 a.m. Monday, a 28-year-old man and a 42-year-old man from a Univision local news crew were in the 1200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue when a black sport-utility vehicle and a gray sedan approached. Three people exited the vehicles with ski masks and guns, and took the victims' belongings.
There were also at least two carjackings reported overnight in Wicker Park and West Town.
- At 10:12 p.m. Sunday, a woman told police three men got out of a blue sedan in the 1200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue and approached her. One of the robbers pointed a gun at the woman and demanded that she hand over the keys to her vehicle. She complied, and the robbers fled in the woman's white sport-utility vehicle.
- At 10:45 p.m. Sunday, a man was exiting his black SUV in the 2100 block of West Ohio Street when another man came up to his side door and pointed a handgun – demanding that the victim leave the vehicle. The robber fled in the victim's vehicle.
Meanwhile, CBS 2's Molina talked to the owner of a business that was robbed on Saturday. He said he and his staff are thankful that everyone is physically OK, but they are still very shaken up.
Thousands in cash were stolen.
The video, taken at 7:21 p.m. Saturday, shows two people in hooded sweat shirts run up to Illinois Auto Repair, 2351 N. St. Louis Ave. Police said there were a total of four robbers.
Police said the men pulled up in a gray sedan, and they are seen running up to the business with guns in hand.
The owner told Molina the robbers said, "Don't move," and, "Give me all of your money". They got away with a lot of the money from the business in less than a minute.
The robbers took more than $3,000 from the three men they robbed – a co-owner of the business, a family friend, and a customer.
And in the robberies Sunday night into Monday, police noted that some of the victims were injured because they fought back. Police say don't – do not resist.
CBS 2's Molina also brought all of this to Mayor Brandon Johnson's office - what does he have to say about this continued crime spree? A spokesperson said the mayor is aware and the office is working with police.
Police said they would issue a community alert if they establish a pattern in the robberies, and also released this statement:
"The Chicago Police Department's Bureau of Patrol and the Bureau of Detectives are enhancing internal coordination and collaboration to solve motor vehicle theft and robbery cases. As we seek justice for victims of these crimes, each week personnel from both bureaus meet to identify and review patterns related to these motor vehicle thefts and robberies. These meetings also focus on strategic deployments to address and prevent these crimes, leveraging technology as part of the investigations, and community engagement efforts centered around awareness and prevention resources.
"As we continue to investigate these crimes with a comprehensive approach, it's important to recognize that motor vehicle thefts are not just property crimes, but can serve as a catalyst to violent crimes such as shootings and robberies."
Police also issued this advice:
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.
- If you are confronted by an assailant, remain calm.
- Never resist during a robbery, or pursue a fleeing assailant.
- Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.)
- Never pursue a fleeing assailant; provide the information to the police.
- If video surveillance is present, save a copy of the incident for detectives.
- If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information.
- Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible.
No arrests have been made in any of the latest incidents.
