An Auburn Gresham woman is charged with robbing an Uptown resident at gunpoint and she is being eyed for a similar armed robbery that unfolded about one hour earlier in Lincoln Square. But, so far, she’s only charged in connection with one case.
Police said a 55-year-old man reported that a woman approached him as he walked on the 1900 block of West Leland around 8:20 p.m. on Jan. 9. The woman pulled out a handgun and demanded the man’s money and valuables, police said.
The offender fled after getting about $80 and a phone from the man.
One hour later, a 31-year-old man reported that a woman approached him on the 900 block of West Sunnyside and demanded his money and valuables while displaying a handgun. The woman fled westbound on Sunnyside after getting the victim’s phone and wallet.
Police searched the area and found a suspect at the Wilson Red Line station who matched a description provided by the second victim. That victim subsequently identified the individual as the woman who robbed him, police said. He was also able to identify a handgun and his personal property that were in the woman’s possession, according to a CPD report.
Prosecutors charged 19-year-old Winter Smith with felony armed robbery with a firearm, felony unlawful possession of a firearm, and misdemeanor counts of carrying a weapon without a Firearm Owner’s ID (FOID) card and possessing ammunition without a FOID.
The terms of Smith’s bail were not immediately available on Monday evening. According to online records, she has been released from custody.
Smith has not been charged in connection with the Lincoln Square robbery as of Monday afternoon. A police department spokesperson said arresting officers “cross-referenced” the Lincoln Square case and the Uptown incident.