A group of up to seven young men is attacking and robbing people during the afternoon and early evening hours in Rogers Park, police said. The group has targeted at least five victims over the past week.
CPD issued a community alert about the crime pattern late Thursday night.
During the crimes, between five and seven offenders walk up to victims and usually kick and punch the victims in the face, police said. They demand wallets and take backpacks.
The first robbery took place in the 1600 block of West Howard around 6:30 p.m. on January 8.
On January 10, another victim was targeted in the 7700 block of North Ashland around 5:30 p.m.
Two cases were reported Tuesday, January 12: A 26-year-old man was beaten and robbed in the 1300 block of West Jarvis at 2:35 p.m., and another man was targeted in the 1400 block of West Morse around 6:30 p.m.
Most recently, a man was beaten and robbed by the group as he tried to enter his apartment building in the 7200 block of North Greenview at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said all of the suspects are Black males between 15- and 20-years-old. One wore a red hoodie, another wore a black hoodie, and a third wore a dark vest with a red hoodie. CPD did not release further information about the other four suspects.
Anyone with information about the robberies can contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263.
