A group of armed robbers has targeted Chicago pawn shops four times in the past month, taking over the stores, smashing jewelry display cases and forcing employees to open safes, police said Friday. The crew has targeted one store twice, according to a CPD community alert.
All four robberies involved Cash America locations, with the first occurring July 2 and the latest taking place Tuesday morning.
Police said the robbers arrive in a stolen gray or white Acura ADX and force their way into the stores while armed with handguns. Once inside, they demand keys and access codes to the store’s safe, where they take money. The robbers also smash glass display cases and remove jewelry. During two of the robberies, they physically attacked employees. In one of those incidents, the robbers also took an employee’s wallet and personal cellphone, police said.
The first robbery occurred at 9:28 a.m. July 2 at the Cash America at 4558 South Cicero Avenue. The same location was hit again at 4:15 p.m. Aug. 1. The crew also robbed the Cash America at 1441 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park at 10:03 a.m. July 6 and, at 10:57 a.m. Tuesday, the Cash America at 2337 West Cermak Road.
CPD released surveillance video from the Cermak Road robbery showing the crew slipping through the front door as a customer was leaving. Once inside, one of the robbers displayed a handgun while the group began smashing display cases and grabbing merchandise. Despite having already carried out three similar robberies, they did not bring bags to hold the merchandise, according to the video. Instead, they attempted to carry the jewelry in their arms, repeatedly dropping items as they moved through the store.
Police described the robbers as Black males between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall and weighing between 130 and 230 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8384, Area Four detectives at 312-746-8253 or Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CPDTIP.com using reference number 26-CWP-019A.
