Drivers attacked by robbers using fake road block in Fuller Park, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning drivers in Chicago's Fuller Park neighborhood about robbers using a fake road block to force victims out of their cars.

Legitimate construction work has shut down one lane along that stretch West 51st Street. Police said the thieves are using a construction barrel to block the other lane.

When drivers got out to move the barrel, police said they were beaten and robbed by three or four male suspects.

The first victim was robbed around 6 p.m. on March 26 in the 300-block of West 51st Street. A second victim was robbed around 6:15 p.m. Sunday in the 400-block of West 51st Street.

The suspects are described as three to four males between 17 and 23, about 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-3, and 180-220 pounds, police said.

"I think it's terrible. I live in the neighborhood. It's unsafe for everybody. It's unsafe for visitors. They don't know who they're robbing. They don't know if they're robbing family members of people in the neighborhood or friends or whoever it may be," said Latonia Jackson, a Fuller Park resident.