Chicago police are investigating two armed robberies of convenience stores overnight in Lakeview and Bucktown. The robbery crew pistol-whipped one of the store’s clerks.
Most recently, two men entered the 7-Eleven at 2010 North Damen at 12:49 a.m. and pointed a handgun at the clerk. One of the men forced the employee to open the cash register and then took the store’s money and cigarettes, police said.
He then struck the 44-year-old victim in the head with the handgun, took his cellphone, and fled. The victim was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in good condition.
A witness reported seeing the offenders run Westbound on McLean Avenue and get into a white four-door Pontiac that makes a lot of noise and has no hubcaps.
The robbers were described as black males between 20- and 30-years-old. One wore a red sweater or sweatshirt and the other wore a white jacket, according to a witness.
The Bucktown robbery unfolded about 20 minutes after the same crew robbed a 7-Eleven store at 958 West Diversey in Lakeview.
Three men entered the store around 12:35 a.m., displayed a handgun, and took cash, cigarettes, and other products. A witness saw the men run northbound on Sheffield Avenue then westbound on George Street after the hold-up.