An armed robber who threatens his victims with a machete struck again Sunday night in the Irving Park neighborhood and he swung his weapon at the victim this time, police say. It’s at least the ninth robbery that police have linked to the crime pattern, which began on May 27. In a new development, there are now indications that the robber has an accomplice.
Police said a 52-year-old man was walking on the 3700 block of North Troy around 9 p.m. last night when the robber got out of a silver car and demanded his property while holding a machete. The robber then tried to hit the victim with the blade, causing the victim to fall to the ground, according to a CPD media statement.
While on the ground, the victim took out his wallet and threw it into the street to distract the attacker so he could run for safety, police said.
The robber ran away and jumped into the passenger side of the getaway car, which left the area. One of the victims who was targeted on Saturday also told police that they thought a second person may have been in the robber’s getaway car.
Sunday’s victim said the robber is a Hispanic man in his early- to mid-20s. Some earlier victims have said the offender appeared to be in his 30s or 40s.
In previous incidents:
The attacker first struck on the 3000 block of North Christiana at 7:58 p.m. on May 27. In that case, he took a man’s wallet, cigarettes, and a six-pack of beer.
On May 30, he robbed someone on the 3200 block of North Monticello around 11:45 p.m.
Then, he struck twice in 30 minutes on the 4100 block of West Fletcher between 11:45 p.m. Monday and 12:10 a.m. Tuesday.
He robbed three more people around 9 p.m. Friday, once on the 3300 block of North Monticello and the 4000 block of West Eddy. In the Eddy robbery, he robbed a woman and her mother.
Two robberies were reported around 8:45 p.m. Saturday on the 3000 block of North Davlin and the 3000 block of North Christiana. On Davlin, a woman reported the robber fled in a four-door sedan. The victim on Christiana, a man, said the offender hopped out of a car with a “large knife” and took the phone and bag he was carrying. One of the victims said the man appeared to have tattoos on his face and was in his 40s.
In a community alert issued shortly before Saturday’s incidents, police said the robber is Hispanic, 5’4″ to 5’6″ tall and 125 to 150 pounds, possibly with curly hair. He travels in a silver four-door car, according to the alert. At least two victims said he had some facial hair and some said he wore his hair in a ponytail, according to CPD documents. One said he had tattoos on his face.
Anyone with information about the robberies can contact Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394 regarding crime pattern #P22-5-039.
