A shoplifting team pepper-sprayed employees at two H&M stores this week during a pair of robberies just four hours apart, according to police records. Detectives issued an alert to businesses as investigators try to track down the offenders.
Three women placed merchandise into bags and headed out the door at the Magnificent Mile H&M location, 840 North Michigan, at 3 p.m. Thursday. They then pepper-sprayed a security guard who tried to stop them.
Later, the same women did the exact same thing at H&M’s South Loop location, 1135 South Delano, at 7:15 p.m.
Police issued descriptions of three offenders in the community alert:
- Female, black, 16-20, 5’06”, 130-145, dreadlocks, mustard jacket
- Female, black, 20-30, ponytail, gray hat, gray sweater, maroon pants
- Female, black, 20-30, gray headband, gray sweater, black pants
The woman in the mustard-colored jacket returned to the 840 North Michigan store around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, but she left before police arrived to take her into custody.
Anyone with information about the robbery crew can contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8384. Refer to pattern #P19-1-346.