Walter Porter (L) and Amanda Brown | Chicago Police Dept |
A man and woman from south suburban Calumet City have been charged with four counts of armed robbery in connection with a string of hold-ups across the North Side on August 14th, police said.
Walter Porter and Amanda Brown, both 22, were arrested on the DePaul University campus shortly around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday following their third armed robbery within 90 minutes, according to prosecutors.
Police said around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Brown and Porter approached a 23-year-old man on the street in the 1800 block of West Berenice. Porter pulled out a silver handgun and went through the victim’s pockets, taking his cell phone. Both offenders then headed southbound on Ravenswood.
One hour later, a 26-year-old man reported being robbed in the 2800 block of North Greenview. The victim told police that he walked past a man and a woman who were standing with a bicycle near Greenview and George. Moments later, the male offender walked up behind him and took his cash and phone at gunpoint. Both robbers then headed south on Greenview.
Then, around 9:50 p.m., a 51-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were robbed at gunpoint in the 2600 block of North Bosworth. The victims reported that as Porter was mugging them, Brown pedaled up on a bicycle and asked him if he “got everything.” Both offenders then left the area.
Approximate locations of the three robberies and the arrests of Porter and Brown. |
Just a few minutes later, officers on patrol saw two people matching the offenders’ descriptions near Kenmore and Belden on the DePaul University campus. Police pursued the couple and arrested Brown inside a DePaul school building. Porter was stopped nearby, but pulled away from an officer, causing the cop to fall and break a hip, according to the police department’s chief spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi. Other officers captured Porter and recovered a handgun from him after a brief foot chase near Fullerton and Clifton. Property that was taken in the robberies was also recovered from the couple, according to police.
The injured officer was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he will undergo surgery, police said.
Porter is charged with four felony counts of armed robbery with a firearm; felony resisting police; and felony unlawful use of a weapon. Brown is charged with four felony counts of armed robbery with a firearm. They are both due in bond court on Thursday afternoon.