Police are investigating two robberies that were reported Monday afternoon and evening — one in Lakeview East and the other in Lincoln Park, two areas that have been hard-hit in a weeks-long string of similar crimes.
More recently, a 23-year-old woman reported that two men approached her with a handgun as she walked on the 600 block of West Oakdale around 10:20 p.m., CPD spokesperson Kellie Bartoli said.
They took her property and ran away westbound on Oakdale, Bartoli continued. Officers found the woman’s purse lying in the street on the 700 block of West Belmont a short time later.
The suspects are two Black men between 18- and 23-years-old, Bartoli said. One of them, who stands 6’2″ to 6’3″ tall and weighs 200 to 250 pounds, was wearing a black ski mask and a black hoodie, according to Bartoli.
The other stands about 5’8″ tall, weighs 160 to 180 pounds, and wore a blue face mask with a black hoodie.
Earlier in the evening, several people reported hearing gunshots near the 500 block of West Belmont and a woman reported that three men wearing masks and hoodies tried to grab her near Broadway and Belmont, but she ran away. It’s unclear if those reports, which came in around 7 p.m., are related to the robbery.
Police are also investigating a robbery that unfolded near the DePaul University campus in Lincoln Park around 3:20 p.m. In that case, a man told police that an offender implied that he had a weapon and demanded the victim’s cash and wallet as the victim walked through an alley on the 2400 block of North Lincoln, Bartoli said. The victim’s age was not available.
The victim ran from the area and called the police without surrendering his property, Bartoli said.
She said the suspect is a man between 20- and 25-years-old who wore a yellow puffy jacket and stands 5’8″ tall.
Monday’s robberies appear to have different methods of operation than most of the recent hold-ups in the area, which have largely involved armed men who travel in vehicles. Dozens of people have been robbed during the robbery surge, which began in early November — sometimes while walking in groups of five or even eight people.
Facts first. 100% reader-funded. Click here to support CWBChicago today.