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| The latest robberies by the armed crew (pins) and others (stars) |
In about one hour overnight, at least ten people fell victim to robbers in a series of muggings across Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Six of the hold-ups are believed to be the work of an armed robbery crew that has been working the area for nearly two weeks. No one is in custody.
The robbery team is now believed to be responsible for at least 16 robberies across in the Town Hall police district since late July.
In addition to the robbery crew’s half-dozen hold-ups, two other victims have been targeted in robberies by other offenders since late Thursday. No one is in custody.
Here are details on today’s six robberies that police believe are connected to the hold-up team:
2:10 a.m. 900 block of West School
A 25-year-old man, his 22-year-old sister, and her 33-year-old boyfriend were robbed at gunpoint by three men as they walked on the sidewalk. One of the robbers pulled out a handgun while the victims’ phones and wallets were collected. Police said the robbers were black, in their early 20’s, and one of them had dreadlocks.
2:15 a.m. 600 block of West Arlington
Two men, ages 32 and 28, were robbed at gunpoint as they were walking through an alley. Two offenders pulled out a handgun and took the victim’s phones and wallets before running away. The robbers were described as black men in their early 20’s with fade haircuts. One is about 5’5” tall, and the other is about 5’8” tall.
2:28 a.m. 3100 block of North Pine Grove
A man was robbed at gunpoint by three men whose descriptions and method of operation matched the offenders in the earlier cases.
2:53 a.m. 3800 block of North Pine Grove
Police said a 34-year-old man was pistol-whipped as he was walking on the sidewalk. Two offenders then took his iPhone and wallet. The man declined medical attention. Both offenders fled eastbound on Sheridan and then southbound on Inner Lake Shore Drive and may have jumped into a “huge” SUV, the victim said. The robbers’ descriptions match those of the previous cases.
3:04 a.m. 3650 North Inner Lake Shore Drive
A man told police that two offenders took his phone and wallet at gunpoint. About 30 minutes after the hold-up, his phone was pinging in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
3:06 a.m. 3300 North Inner Lake Shore Drive
A 54-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint while walking his dog. Two offenders, a gun, and a similar operation to the previous cases. The victim said the robbers may have fled in a dark-colored Cadillac SUV.
While the previously-listed robberies are believed to be connected to the same group of offenders, police also handled two unrelated robberies in the area:
11:30 p.m. 3200 North Lake Shore Drive
A woman told police that she was sitting by the lake at Belmont Harbor when a man pulled out a knife and tried to rob her. She ran to a nearby convenience store for help. The offender was described as a black man with an Afro who was wearing a white tank top and cutoff jeans. He was last seen pushing a shopping cart northbound on the Lakefront Trail.
3:05 a.m. 1100 block of West Diversey Parkway
A man was pushed to the ground and robbed by a woman whom he met earlier in the evening at Snickers, a bar at 448 North State Street in River North. The woman took the victim’s phone and wallet, then fled eastbound on Diversey. She is black and was wearing a black tank top with gray shorts.
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| Locations of 16 armed robberies since late July that police believe are connected to a single hold-up crew. |
See our previous coverage of the robbery outbreak below:
August 9
Two more armed robberies on North Side as hold-up spree reaches double-digits
August 5
Lakeview man beaten, robbed near Margaret Donahue Park
August 2
Lakeview armed robberies, pistol-whippings tied to same offenders, police say
August 2
Three robberies reported overnight in Lakeview
July 31
Robbery alert issued for Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village
July 30
Southport restaurant robbed by gunmen; Three muggings also reported in the area
July 26
Roscoe Village Mugging
