A busy weekend of Cubs fans, Pride Fest celebrants, and rock concert attendees appears to have been marred only by the mob rule of Belmont Avenue, which hosted more than its share of street fights and at least two robberies Sunday morning.
As next week’s Pride Parade approaches, police and organizers are hoping to avoid a repeat of the near-riot conditions that followed last year’s event.
In all, CWB estimates that 8 people were arrested and another 9 were taken into custody related to street stops in Boystown this past weekend, but no major issues are known to have been reported within Pride Fest itself.
Here is the weekend tick-tock:
Saturday
1:16AM – Man has been beaten up at 3505 N. Clark. One arrest. Victim treated by ambulance crew. Simple battery case HX312364.
1:30AM- Police are waved down in the 800 block of Newport for a male battery victim who is bleeding from the mouth. Ambulance transports victim to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Offender is taken into custody. Battery case HX312375
2:29AM – 3 people in a fist fight outside of Hydrate nightclub, 3458 N. Halsted. Report taken.
6:00PM – That wasn’t lightning, that was a Taser, sir. As severe weather rolls in, a huge crowd seeks shelter under the awnings of the Circle K/Shell gas station at Halsted and Addison. Officers are called and, for some reason, a guy decides to get himself tazed by police. He is taken into custody. CPD case HX313339.
7:24PM – Police are asked to help a fire department ambulance crew that is responding to the Addison Red Line station to help a man who is “bleeding from the neck for unknown reasons.” The man declines all assistance and “wants nothing to do with the police.” He boards a train and leaves.
10:22PM – One arrest at Roscoe’s Tavern after a man spit in the doorman’s face. CPD case HX313527
11:46PM – Disturbance at Roscoe and Halsted. One arrest. Case HX313603.
Sunday
12:51AM – Man knocked unconcious and robbed at Belmont and Sheffield.
1:15AM – “20 to 30” people fighting in front of Steamworks, 3246 N. Halsted. One is reported to have a knife. No arrests.
1:24AM – Man is jumped on and robbed at Halsted and Belmont.
2:34AM – Dust-up outside of Red Ivy, 3511 N. Clark
2:50AM – Man “busted his head on the street” and is unconscious at 1011 W. Belmont.
3:42AM – Officers call for back-up to handle a melee outside of Steamworks.
4:17AM – Woman beaten up by a group of other women near Dunkin’ Donuts at Clark and Belmont.
4:39AM – People fighting in the street at 922 Belmont.
5:08AM – A man reports that he has been robbed at the Belmont Red Line station. He provides a description of the offender, who is said to still be on the platform. Officers cannot find the caller when they arrive at 5:20AM.
6:20AM – Large group fighting at Belmont and Sheffield. At least five additional police units assist one who reports being, “a little busy with a mob over here.”
6:42AM – Battery in progress at the Belmont Red Line station. A group of men fighting on the platform.
6:13PM – A man reports two other men are “trying to attack” him at Broadway and Waveland.
8:14PM – One arrest for battery at the Taco Bell across from Wrigley Field. CPD case HX314672
8:36PM – One arrested at Roscoe’s Tavern for battering the staff. Case HX314701
9:11PM – A citizen reports that a man brandished a handgun near the Circle K/Shell gas station at Halsted and Addison. Photos are later provided to the 19th district desk. The man is not found.
9:21PM – One arrest for refusing to come off the roof at Kit Kat Lounge, Halsted and Waveland.
9:27PM – Burglary confirmed in the 3400 block of Elaine Place. Case HX314735.
10:31PM – Assault in progress near the Belmont Red Line turns into a battery in progress with 10 people beating up one in the middle of the street. An officer confirms the calls.
11:00PM – Seven to ten people fighting outside the 7-Eleven at Halsted and Roscoe. Police confirm the call and report the crowd is dispersing on its own at 11:06PM
Monday
1:33AM – Officers witness a large fight near the Dunkin Donuts at Clark and Belmont.
1:34AM – Fight at the Belmont Red Line.
