Robbers fired a gunshot while mugging 3 women near DePaul, police say

An armed robbery crew fired a gunshot while robbing three women near DePaul University in Lincoln Park on Friday evening. Police said no one was injured by the shot, but officers did find a shell casing at the scene.

The women, a 23-year-old and two 25-year-olds, were walking on the 2200 block of North Fremont when three men confronted them with handguns around 9:30 p.m., according to a CPD statement. They demanded the victims’ property and one of them fired a shot during the robbery.

All three offenders fled south on Fremont in a black Honda SUV with the women’s purses and phones. No injuries were reported.

The SUV, which is stolen, has been linked to several other armed hold-ups in the area.

Lakeview and, to a lesser extent, the north end of Lincoln Park and Old Town have seen a surge in robberies since early November, with nearly 40 victims being held-up, according to CPD records. The Town Hall police district, which patrols Lakeview and the northern third of Lincoln Park, recorded 40 robberies during the first 28 days of November, up from 29 robberies during the period last year, according to CPD data.

So far, no arrests have been announced in connection with any of the crimes.

Facts first. 100% reader-funded. Click here to support CWBChicago today.