Shootout between robbers, concealed carry holder caps another night of robbery sprees in Humboldt Park, Bucktown

*The approximate locations of the crimes reported in this story. | Multiplottr*

CHICAGO — A concealed carry license holder exchanged gunfire with armed robbers in Humboldt Park overnight, Chicago police said. The shootout came at the end of two robbery sprees that hit the neighborhood and nearby Bucktown between 9 p.m. and midnight Saturday.

The first string of crimes began around 9:20 p.m. with a carjacking in Bucktown.

A food delivery driver was in his car in the 1700 block of West Wabansia when two hijackers pulled up next to him in a black Jeep, according to police.

The carjackers forced him out of his silver Toyota Prius, then drove away with his car and the Jeep.

Two more robberies were reported within minutes.

A couple told police they were held up at gunpoint in the 1600 block of North Leavitt by three men who traveled in a black sedan. The men took a purse, phone, and wallet.

In Humboldt Park, two victims were robbed at gunpoint in the 1500 block of North Artesian by three masked men who traveled in a silver sedan. They told police the men took two phones, keys, and a wallet.

The second spree began in Bucktown about two hours later, at 11:33 p.m. in the 1600 block of North Wolcott. Two women, ages 28 and 22, were walking to their car when two men got out of a silver sedan to rob them at gunpoint, according to Chicago police.

Things started to escalate with the next robbery, which occurred in the 3500 block of West Pierce around 11:55 p.m.

Police said a 26-year-old man was exiting his car when a silver sedan pulled up, and three men got out with handguns. The crew chased the victim, struck him in the face, and took his property. He suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention, police said.

Moments later, a 24-year-old concealed carry holder was standing outside of a vehicle in the 3300 block of West Beach when he saw two men get out of a silver sedan. He saw the men pull out firearms and open a woman’s car door nearby, police said.

Police said the robbers shot at the concealed carry holder when he tried to intervene in the robbery. He returned fire, and a shootout ensued, according to CPD. No injuries were reported, but the offenders left a gun behind and crashed their getaway car, a stolen 2018 Hyundai. They may have fled the area on foot.

CPD did not release descriptions of the suspects.

Robbery reports are up 25% from last year in Chicago. They’re up 36% compared to 2019.

The real story, though, is what’s happening in the areas where last night’s sprees occurred.

Robberies are up 58% this year in CPD’s Shakespeare (14th) District and up 114% versus 2019, according to the police department’s latest statistics report. Based in Logan Square, Shakespeare’s officers serve nearby neighborhoods like Bucktown, Wicker Park, and part of Humboldt Park.

Next door, in the Near West (12th) District, which includes areas from Humboldt Park to the West Loop, robberies have increased by 63% this year. They’re up 95% compared to 2019.

Just west of the 12th District, the Grand Central (25th) District is even worse, with robberies up 129% from 2022 and 111% compared to 2019.

Recent robbery spree coverage

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