CHICAGO — Armed crews have been robbing a swath of neighborhoods from the West Loop to East Garfield Park for at least six weeks. On Sunday, Chicago police issued its first community alert about the growing problem.
The alert lists just five robberies, all of which occurred between 5:40 a.m. and 7:14 a.m. on Friday. CWBChicago told you about the attack Saturday morning.
According to the warning, two or three robbers, all dressed in dark clothing and black balaclavas, jumped from a stolen car and robbed the victims at gunpoint in the street. According to CPD, they pistol-whipped some of the victims.
Friday’s attack began at 5:40 a.m. in the 1200 block of West Randolph. The group then struck at 6:22 a.m. in the 700 block of North Mei; 3200 block of West Lake at 6:50 a.m.; the 300 block of North Avers at 6:59 a.m.; and the 100 block of North Western at 7:14 a.m., according to the alert.
CPD described the robbers as black males between the ages of 17 and 20. They used a stolen white Jeep Grand Cherokee on Friday.
Area Three detectives are interested in interviewing anyone with information about the crimes. Their number is 312-744-8263. See Crime Pattern #25-CWP-001.
Previous reporting
On New Year’s Eve, at least six people were robbed during an hour-long crime spree in Humboldt Park and the Ukrainian Village. And on December 29, six robberies were reported between Humboldt Park and the West Loop. While police stopped a vehicle suspected of involvement in the crimes, the only charges against the occupants were drug possession. At least seven people were robbed on Friday, December 27, during a two-hour crime spree that started on the West Side and then moved to Old Town and Lincoln Park. And the next evening, at least five people were robbed during a 45-minute attack.
Three armed robberies were reported in Bucktown, Lincoln Park and Avondale from late Christmas Eve to Christmas morning. Last Saturday evening, December 21, at least nine people were robbed during a series of armed robberies. On Monday, December 9, at least seven people, including an off-duty FBI agent, were robbed in a series of similar robberies in Bucktown, Humboldt. Park and Westtown. And on November 22 and 23, teams of armed robbers committed at least five armed robberies and carjackings in Logan Square, the West Loop and the Ukrainian Village.
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