U of C students targeted in string of robberies

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A string of robberies near the University of Chicago campus on the city's South Side targeted four students all within an hour in the same area.

The robberies took place after 6 p.m. Sunday evening in the vicinity of 54th Street between Ingleside and University Avenues.

The university has issued a safety alert and has stepped up patrols in the area after three robberies took place in a short time span. Those incidents happened between 6 and 7 p.m. Sunday evening at locations very close to each other, suggesting a pattern.

In each incident, students walking on the sidewalk were approached by two suspects who implied a weapon, however no weapon was seen.

Chicago Police, which is the lead investigating agency, says the suspects were a man and a woman, both around the ages of 17 and 23. They demanded the victims' property and then fled.

Those victims were not physically injured.

News of the robberies is troubling to those who live in the neighborhood.

"It catches me by surprise that that would happen, especially on a Sunday, so it's kind of unusual," said area resident Dan Duncan.

"I was just noticing that there was more Chicago Police and it seemed like a little more university campus police, which are an awesome presence," Julane Clarke said.

The university is advising people in the area to be safe and alert of their surroundings, to not walk alone, not use a cell phone while walking on the street, and to not resist a robbery.