Chicago police scored two arrests after another wave of armed robberies rocked neighborhoods from Wicker Park to Old Town on Saturday evening. However, the arrests were followed by another wave of robberies, suggesting that at least one holdup crew remains active.
In one robbery, a 21-year-old man who ordered an Uber to the 2100 block of West Division got robbed by three armed men who arrived in a blue Honda Civic that looked like the rideshare he was expecting, according to preliminary information.
Three men exited the Honda, some armed with Draco-style firearms, around 3 p.m. They took the victim’s book bag, MacBook, wallet, phone, and more.
CWBChicago learned that a 54-year-old Uber driver was carjacked of her black Honda Civic in West Englewood early on Saturday, but it is unclear if the crimes are related.
At about 6 p.m., a robbery spree began when two men dressed in black clothing mugged a man near the corner of Randolph and Aberdeen in the West Loop.
A short time later, a similar robbery occurred in the 1600 block of North Springfield. The victim reported that a group of masked men physically attacked him, took his valuables, and fled in a black Hyundai.
Reports indicated additional robberies near Pulaski and Iowa, in the first block of North Hamlin, and the 4300 block of West Thomas.
However, the robbers’ luck ended when they targeted another victim near the intersection of Blackhawk and Cleveland in Old Town around 6:35 p.m.
Four masked men jumped out of a dark Hyundai, pointed guns at the victim, and took his wallet and keys, according to initial information.
Cops located the Hyundai near the intersection of Sheffield and North Avenue in Lincoln Park about 15 minutes later. The last victim reportedly identified both of the detained suspects as part of the robbery team.
After further investigation involving the getaway cars and reports of recently stolen vehicles, cops concluded that the robbers arrested in Lincoln Park were involved in at least some of the earlier robberies. Detectives were working to build cases to support criminal charges.
Another wave of robberies began around 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of North Bell. Two armed men took wallets and money from three victims and escaped in a car driven by a third suspect, according to initial information.
Over the next two hours, additional robberies were reported in the 1100 block of North Wolcott, the 1800 block of West Division, the 1200 block of West Lake, and the first block of East 16th Street. The second spree did not result in any arrests.
Robbery sprees have surged since late November, with neighborhoods in the West Town and Near West Side particularly hard-hit. Six holdups were reported in the area on Friday.
Earlier this month, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) called for the city to reopen the shuttered 13th District police station to help fight the resurgent robbery problem. So far, that idea has not gained any traction publicly.
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