Here are a few recent incidents in the downtown area:
Postmates robbery
A Joliet man headbutted a Postmates driver and stole a pack of cigarettes she was trying to deliver in the Loop, police said. Prosecutors charged 29-year-old Vito Favela with robbery.
The 33-year-old delivery worker told police the robbery unfolded as she tried to deliver a pack of Marlboro Lights to Favela’s friend on the 100 block of West Wacker around 11 p.m. on Oct. 20.
Police said Favela grabbed the woman by both arms, headbutted her in the chest, and took the cigarette delivery from her.
Judge Charles Beach set bail for Favela at $10,000. One week later, though, Judge Edward Maloney released Favela on a recognizance bond. He is due back in court on Nov. 12.
GNC robbed
A robber forced the clerk of a Loop health supply store into a storage room during a hold-up on Saturday afternoon, police said. No injuries were reported.
The offender implied that he had a firearm as he ordered the cashier to hand over valuables at GNC, 244 South State, around 3:30 p.m. He then stole inventory from the store and fled southbound on State Street.
Police said the man boarded a southbound CTA bus, but he slipped away after exiting near the Harold Washington Library.
Surveillance images show the robber to be a black man in his 40’s who wore a black zip-up jacket, blue jeans, and a winter cap.
Shoplifting teams strike again
Shoplifting teams pepper-sprayed employees at two separate retailers on Saturday afternoon. No arrests were made.
A group of three female teenagers sprayed workers who intervened in a shoplifting attempt at H&M, 840 North Michigan, shortly before 3 p.m. One of the offenders has stolen from the store before, the employees said.
About 45 minutes earlier, a group of five teenage girls pepper-sprayed three employees at Forever 21, 865 West North Avenue. The employees were trying to detain the girls for shoplifting when at least one of the thieves released pepper-spray, allowing the crew to get away. An ambulance crew treated the victims.
Reports of shoplifting in Chicago have risen over 25% in recent years following policy changes under Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.