Chicago police made two arrests Saturday evening after a new wave of armed robberies shook neighborhoods from Wicker Park to Old Town. However, the arrests were followed by a new wave of robberies, indicating that at least one robbery crew is still active.
In one robbery, a 21-year-old man who ordered an Uber to the 2100 block of West Division was robbed by three armed men who arrived in a blue Honda Civic that, according to preliminary information, looked like the ride he was expecting.
Three men left the Honda around 3pm, some armed with Draco-style firearms. They took the victim’s bookbag, MacBook, wallet, phone and more.
CWBChicago learned that a 54-year-old Uber driver was carjacked from her black Honda Civic in West Englewood early Saturday, but it is unclear if the crimes are related.
At approximately 6 p.m., a robbery began when two men dressed in black robed a man near the corner of Randolph and Aberdeen in the West Loop.
A short time later, a similar robbery occurred in the 1600 block of North Springfield. The victim reported that a group of masked men physically assaulted him, took his valuables and fled in a black Hyundai.
Reports indicated additional robberies near Pulaski and Iowa, in the first block of North Hamlin and the 4300 block of West Thomas.
However, the robbers’ luck ended when they attacked another victim near the intersection of Blackhawk and Cleveland in Old Town around 6:35 p.m.
Four masked men jumped out of a dark Hyundai, pointed their weapons at the victim and took his wallet and keys, according to initial information.
Police located the Hyundai about 15 minutes later near the intersection of Sheffield and North Avenue in Lincoln Park. The final victim reportedly identified both detained suspects as part of the robbery team.
After further investigation regarding the getaway cars and reports of recently stolen vehicles, police concluded that the robbers arrested in Lincoln Park were involved in at least some of the previous robberies. Detectives were building cases to support criminal charges.
Another wave of robberies started in the 1400 block of North Bell around 9:30 p.m. Two armed men took wallets and money from three victims and fled in a car driven by a third suspect, according to initial information.
Over the next two hours, additional robberies were reported in the 1100 block of North Wolcott, the 1800 block of West Division, the 1200 block of West Lake and the first block of East 16th Street. The second attack resulted in no arrests.
Robberies have increased since late November, with West Town and Near West Side neighborhoods particularly hard hit. Six robberies were reported in the area on Friday.
Earlier this month, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) called on the city to reopen the shuttered 13th Precinct police station to help combat the reemerging robbery problem. So far, that idea has not received public attention.
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