CHICAGO — Another wave of armed robberies hit the West Town area on Friday, leaving at least seven victims in its wake. One victim was carjacked. So far, Chicago police have not announced any arrests.
The first robbery was reported around 3:25 p.m. in the 2400 block of West Thomas. A man reported that an armed robber jumped out of a white sedan and took his backpack, wallet, and other items at gunpoint, according to preliminary information.
Shortly after 6 p.m., a two-hour spree claimed more victims:
A man reported that five males exited a black sedan, physically attacked him, and took his bag and computer in the 700 block of North Campbell.
Then, a group of up to seven people robbed and carjacked a man in the 1900 block of West Fulton around 6:15 p.m. The robbers drove away with the victim’s white 2018 BMW.
A few minutes later, three men exited a vehicle to attack and rob a man at a bus stop on the corner of Chicago and Western avenues, another report said. According to a witness, one robber held a gun to the victim’s head while the others went through the man’s pockets.
Similar robberies were reported between 6:40 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Superior and Paulina and in the 900 block of North Damen.
Finally, around 7:50 p.m., a 28-year-old man was robbed at a bus stop in the 500 block of North Western. A CPD spokesperson said four men exited an SUV and one displayed a gun while the others took the victim’s valuables.
Because some of the victims reported that up to ten people were involved in the robberies, police suspect that the crew may have been traveling in two cars, working together sometimes and splitting up at other points.
One of those vehicles was a silver Kia Sportage with South Carolina plates. The owner of that vehicle walked into a police station around 9:30 p.m. to report that it had been stolen from the 1100 block of North Rockwell.
All of the robberies involved Black males in their late teens to mid-20s wearing face masks, beanies, and dark clothing, according to descriptions provided to police.
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