Police issued a warning Thursday night about a robbery crew that has struck three times in Wrigleyville over the past couple of weeks.
Detectives established a pattern of hold-ups in which two or three offenders have targeted people near Wrigley Field during evening hours. Two of the victims were battered and robbed while the third handed over their property when the men demanded it.
The first robbery in the pattern was reported at 9:35 p.m. on Aug. 22 in the 1100 block of West Waveland. A 28-year-old man told police that three strangers approached him and struck up a conversation. The offenders suddenly began punching the man in the head and body and then threw him to the ground where he was robbed of his wallet.
Police said the victim suffered scrapes to his face and bruising on his hands and arms, but he declined medical attention. While the victim spoke with police, one of his credit cards was used at a convenience store located across from Wrigley Field.
The other robberies were reported in the 1000 block of West Addison between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Aug. 31 and in the 3500 block of North Clark at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. No further details about those crimes were available.
Police said the robbers are three black men who are all about 20-years-old and about 5’10” tall. Two have dreadlocks while the third wears his hair in a ponytail.
Anyone with information about the crimes may contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.