CHICAGO — A gunman pistol-whipped two liquor store employees and fired a shot during a robbery in West Rogers Park on Monday night, Chicago police said. It happened about 20 minutes after another liquor store was robbed at gunpoint in Lincoln Square.
Three robbers brandished handguns as they announced the robbery at Issha Liquors, 2901 West Devon, around 10:28 p.m., but the store’s two employees refused to cooperate, according to CPD.
Police said the robbers pistol-whipped the workers, ages 65 and 49, and one offender fired a shot toward a beverage cooler. No one was struck by the bullet, but both victims were taken to Swedish Hospital for cuts on the head.
An officer who reviewed surveillance video said the robbers were Black males between 14 and 19 years old wearing black clothing.
In Lincoln Square, Cardinal Wine and Spirits, 4905 North Lincoln, was robbed around 10:05 p.m. The cashier’s wallet was also taken. No injuries were reported there.
The holdups continue a pattern of similar crimes that began developing earlier in the month.
Last Wednesday evening, two liquor stores were robbed within minutes of each other in Logan Square: L’Flamingo Liquors, 3556 West Fullerton, and Albany Food, 3048 West Fullerton.
Police said two masked men entered the stores around 9:50 p.m. and pulled out handguns. They took cash from two registers and personal property from two employees at L’Flamingo. Cash was also taken from the register at Albany Foods. It was the second time Albany Foods was robbed this month.
Officers described the suspects as two Black males in their late teens or early 20s who stand about 5’9″ tall and weigh about 170 pounds. They wore dark clothing, and each had a gun.
Seven liquor stores were robbed on October 14, from Logan Square to Jefferson Park to North Center. Some victims reported that the men were wearing yellow gloves.
On October 11, a similar robbery spree targeted four liquor stores and customers in Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and West Town.
Police said two or three men carried out the robberies, pointing guns equipped with extended ammunition magazines at the victims, ordering the victims to the floor, and taking the victims’ valuables, according to a CPD alert. After taking cash from the registers and safes, the robbers escaped in a black Alfa Romeo.
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