A group of men has battered and robbed five people since Oct. 16 along State Street in the River North neighborhood, according to a community alert from Chicago police. Detectives typically issue community alerts when they believe a person or group is responsible for a series of crimes.
Police said between one and three offenders are taking victims’ phones by force and often punch the victims in the head and body during the robberies.
Victims reported being attacked in the 300 block of North State at 9 p.m. Oct. 16; in the 700 block of North State at 5:30 a.m. Oct. 21; in the first block of West Grand at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 19; and in the 800 block of North State at 8:45 p.m. on Oct. 17 and again at 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 21.
The last robbery occurred inside Starbucks, 828 North State, according to a police report. The offender reportedly wrestled a phone from a woman’s hand inside the coffee shop and then ran west on Chicago Avenue.
Police described the suspects only as “one to three male African-American offenders between 15-30 years of age.”
Area Central detectives are investigating. Their number is 312-747-8380.
