DePaul students warned about Lincoln Park armed robberies

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are warning residents about brazen armed robberies targeting people on the streets of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

In each attack, a group of thieves have threatened to shoot victims if they didn't follow orders.

Police said the incidents took place Monday, May 22, in the 2300-block of North Halsted Street and 600-block of West Webster Avenue, and Tuesday, May 23, in the 700-block of West Dickens Avenue, 600-block of West Webster Avenue, 500-block of West Belden Avenue and 500-block of West Fullerton Parkway.

All of the armed robberies took place between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Noelle Daniels gets security alerts from DePaul University's Public Safety Office on her phone. The theater major, a senior, said she's concerned about walking around campus at night after the robberies.

"When I was looking to go to DePaul, I wasn't expecting all of these things to be happening, especially the armed robberies that have been happening," Daniels said.

In each incident, police said a group of four offenders approached the victims, produced a handgun and demanded their property. The offenders threatened to shoot the victims if they didn't comply, police said, and were seen fleeing in a silver vehicle during one incident.

All of the robberies happened in a several block radius in Lincoln Park that is on or near the DePaul campus. They have posted the police alert around campus and most students are aware of the warning,.

"Public Safety did a really good jobs of kind of responding as fast as they could in terms of filing reports and letting people know what's going on on campus, or near campus," said Cara Anderson, student.

"You are still in Chicago. It is an urban campus, it is an open campus, and you just have to be smarter and more aware in this type of environment," said Michael Lynch, president of the student government.

Alderman Michelle Smith (Ward 43) has also sent alerts to neighborhood residents, saying, "CPD has increased patrols and will keep up intense surveillance throughout the holiday weekend. We urge everyone to be vigilant and report anything suspicious immediately to 911."

"I'm always cognizant of my environment and my surroundings so there's nothing I'm too afraid of," said Mario Morrow, student.

The suspects are described as four male African Americans, 17 to 20 years old, with heights ranging from 5 ft. 2 in. to 6 ft. 4 in. and weighing between 160 and 185 lbs.

If you have any information, contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.