4 targeted in string of robberies on Chicago's North Side
Chicago police are searching for the men who robbed four people back-to-back in Lakeview and Lincoln Park on Monday night.
In all four incidents, which took place within 30 minutes, the victims were walking outside when they were confronted by strangers demanding items.
In at least three cases, police said a gun was involved.
Police said the first robbery happened at 11:42 p.m. at Diversey Parkway and Pine Grove Avenue.
A 23-year-old woman was robbed in the Pine Grove Avenue incident. Police say she was approached by two men, one with a gun, who took her belongings and left in a white sport-utility vehicle.
At 11:51 p.m., the robbers struck again on Roscoe Street just east of Halsted Street. Two men robbed a 21-year-old woman and took off in a vehicle.
Another robbery took place at 11:55 p.m. on Broadway at Roscoe Street near Jacqueline's bar. Police said a 47-year-old woman was walking outside when two men approached, took her belongings, and took off on foot.
The final incident was just after midnight in Lincoln Park, on Sheffield Avenue between Lill Avenue and Altgeld Street. A 20-year-old man told police the robbers pulled up in a white sport-utility vehicle. Two men got out with guns in hand, took his belongings, and took off.
Witnesses and victims described similar suspects and a similar method. In one robbery, according to unconfirmed police dispatch reports, the attackers placed a hard object to the side of the victim's neck, and stole her keys, wallet, and phone, and said they'd shoot her if she didn't change the passcode.
No injuries were reported in any of the robberies.
"It's scary, it's definitely scary," Lakeview resident Johanna Dillon said. "It's a neighborhood that's very community-oriented, and it's unsettling to think it's happening right here where I live, where I have always felt safe."
Police believe the robberies are linked, and are searching for the suspects. Police found a Honda CR-V wanted in connection with one of the robberies in West Garfield Park.
The final robbery happened just one block away from residential halls for DePaul University students, and the university confirmed one of their students was the victim.
DePaul is taking action to make sure other students stay safe.
Orange fliers have been posted on the windows and doors of DePaul buildings close to the robbery, warning students and staff of what happened.
In a statement, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th), whose ward includes three of the four robberies, said he's "in constant communication with CPD to ensure we prevent crimes like the robberies that occurred last night."
"I am grateful for the work of the Chicago Police Robbery Task Force that works to respond to these situations. While we have seen a recent decline in robberies in our police district, I encourage all residents to always be cautious of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior, especially as we head into these summer months," Lawson added.
Chicago police have issued a community alert on the robberies. Anyone with information is asked to call Belmont Area detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit a tip to CPDTIP. com and reference #P25-3-028.
The order in which the robberies occurred was revised in the community alert compared with earlier reports.
No arrests have been made in the robberies as of Wednesday night. Police are investigating.
