CHICAGO — A large group of young people, mostly juveniles, ripped through the South Loop on Sunday evening, looting a convenience store, storming a Dunkin, and fighting as they ran through the streets. It was the second time in days that groups of teens targeted the area along Roosevelt Road.
Chicago police supervisors, in a departure from previous “large group” situations, encouraged cops to lock people up. They did. A total of 40 people, including 37 juveniles were taken into custody during the incident, according to a CPD spokesperson. Officers seized three firearms from the arrestees.
That’s the biggest tally for a “large group” incident since Chicago police arrested more than 60 people in the Loop and Millennium Park on July 4, 2021.
Cops estimated between 300 and 400 people were in Sunday’s group, which descended on the area after a “trend” announcement circulated on social media. They began arriving by train at the Roosevelt CTA station around 7:30 p.m.
Fights and arrests began soon after that.
Dozens of teens raided the 7-Eleven store at 560 West Grenshaw around 9 p.m. The store was completely trashed.
A Facebook video posted by Chicago Crime Chasers showed young people pouring out of the store, tossing looted merchandise into the air, and running from the store with armloads of product.
Someone grabbed a fire extinguisher, which they deployed outside the store, the video showed.
“Please get your f*ckin’ kids. Look what they did inside of this 7-Eleven,” said a woman in a Snapchat video posted after the group cleared the area. “I’m just trying to find a ATM and these f*ckin’ kids. Wow. Whoop your kid’s *ss tonight.”
Witnesses reported incidents throughout the area, including attempts by the crowd to break into a Chicago police uniform store in the 500 block of West Roosevelt. Others reported seeing teens on and possibly inside a postal service truck.
The 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw is seen after a “teen trend” looted the store on July 30, 2023. | Provided The 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw is seen after a “teen trend” looted the store on July 30, 2023. | Provided 
The 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw is seen after a “teen trend” looted the store on July 30, 2023. | Provided The 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw is seen after a “teen trend” looted the store on July 30, 2023. | Provided 
The 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw is seen after a “teen trend” looted the store on July 30, 2023. | Provided
CPD said 30 juveniles between 12 and 17 years old were charged with reckless conduct. In addition, police said:
- a 17-year-old boy is charged with felony unlawful use of a machine gun, possession of a high-capacity magazine, and a curfew violation
- a 15-year-old is charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon as well as disorderly conduct and possession of a laser sight
- a 16-year-old girl was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and reckless conduct causing bodily harm
- two 17-year-old boys were charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct causing bodily harm
- a 14-year-old boy is charged with criminal trespass and obstructing identification
- a 15-year-old boy is charged with criminal trespass
- Grace Peterson, 18, is charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct, obstructing identification, and resisting police or aiding escape
- Daniel Ross, 18, and Savion Moody, 20, are charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct. Moody was also detained for two outstanding warrants, police said. Moody was charged last month with felony unlawful use of a weapon, according to court records. He posted bail and was placed on electronic monitoring on June 21.
A smaller gathering along the same stretch of Roosevelt Road earlier this week. Groups of teens jumped on passing cars and raided stores on July 25. One adult was arrested for illegal firearm possession and another was arrested for misdemeanor reckless conduct, according to CPD records.
Sunday’s “trend” was the most significant large group incident in the downtown area since more than 500 teens filled the Loop on April 15. Chicago police arrested six juveniles and nine adults. A woman and her boyfriend were attacked by a large group of teens and video of the assault went viral.
One day earlier, about 300 teens descended on 31st Street Beach. A 14-year-old boy was shot and some members of the group pulled a passing motorist from their vehicle, which was promptly set on fire.
“In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend,” read a statement issued by Johnson’s office. “However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”
Another “large group” incident broke out near the Belmont CTA station in Lakeview on June 26, the day after the annual Pride Parade. Police made two arrests.