2nd woman attacked while riding bike in South Loop

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A woman was attacked by a would-be robber while riding her bike early Tuesday morning in Chicago's South Loop.

This is the second bike attack in the last few days in the neighborhood. Police have not yet said if the two incidents were related, but issued a community alert about five robberies that have occurred in the area in the last week. No arrests were made Tuesday evening.

At 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, a 32-year-old woman was riding her bike in the 1400-block of South Wabash Avenue when a black SUV drove by and someone inside tried to steal her backpack, police said.

The woman was dragged, but managed to wrestle free. She was treated at the scene for bumps and bruises.

This attack happened just blocks away from where another woman was attacked Sunday afternoon. The victim was riding a Divvy bike, headed towards McCormick Place, a witness said. Police said a man jumped out of a silver car in the 2100-block of South Calumet Avenue, punched her in the face and stole her purse.

"He just hopped out of nowhere and he punched her in her face and stole her bag," said Ashley Leakey, who lives in the South Loop, of Sunday's victim. She said the woman's face was swollen on the left side and her elbow was bloody.

The community alert identifies five recent robbery incidents:

-1:20 a.m. June 2 in the 0-100-block of East 13th Street

-10:35 a.m. June 4 in the 2100-block of South Michigan Avenue

-12:45 p.m. June 4 in the 2100-block of South Calumet Avenue

-8:20 p.m. June 4 in the 1400-block of South Prairie Avenue

-12:30 a.m. June 6 in the 1400-block of South Wabash Avenue

People who bike in the area said they've learned to take precautions when they ride.

"I'm more careful, watch around, look at my surroundings. You know, just to see what's going on," said Jackie Butler, a cyclist.

"I carry around a nice little knife that I got from Cabela's for about $40. It was a Christmas present from my wife," said Chris Nogalo, another cyclist. "I never bike at night. I'm a male who's 6 ft. 3 in., 220 pounds, in good shape and I don't want to bike at night."

The police community alert identifies the offenders as two men between the ages of 15 and 30 years old.

Anyone with information about the incidents are asked to call Chicago police at 312-747-8382.