A group of men armed with at least one rifle tried to carjack a woman outside a River North school on Tuesday morning. When that failed, they successfully robbed a locksmith who was preparing to complete a job nearby.
Police first responded to reports of a person calling for help on the 500 block of West Superior around 9:30 a.m. They found the locksmith, who told them that a group of men confronted him with a rifle as he was getting out of his work truck.
The offenders took the man’s wallet, phone, and computer, then fled in a black Jeep Cherokee.
An off-duty police officer in the area followed the Cherokee through River North and onto the outbound Dan Ryan Expressway, but CPD has not announced any arrests.
While police were speaking with the locksmith, a woman walked into the 18th (Near North) Police District station and reported that a group of men tried to carjack her outside the school. She sped away from the men, and they reportedly turned their attention to the locksmith.
Witnesses said the robbers were four Black men who wore ski masks and gloves. One wore a shiny black and red jacket, while another wore a denim jacket with a black backpack.
Area Three detectives are investigating.
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