The victim is a fit and fiery 68-year-old woman who has mentored young adults and made social causes her life's work. She was robbed of her purse and $135,000 worth of jewelry while shopping the Magnificent Mile on Wednesday afternoon.
"It was a group of young people, young men, and they surrounded me. One just took my purse, didn't say anything just took my purse. The other person spoke and said either you take off your jewelry or I will," the victim said.
She says she did not shout out for fear of being assaulted by what she says was a group of 8-10 teenagers.
"I really didn't want to do this interview I want to be honest with you but I was violated and I don't want this to happen to anybody else," the victim said.
After the robbers fled, she walked into the Saks Fifth Avenue department store she had been headed to, and told security about the robbery. They called police.
She says her brooch, earrings, bracelet and purse can be replaced. Should they be found, she said she would donate their worth to the police.
"So even though this was a negative hopefully this negative will turn into a positive," the victim said.
On the Magnificent Mile this afternoon, there were parked squad cars and some officers walking the beat - but not in the numbers pedestrians might have expected after yesterday's incident.
"It just gets me that this hallowed ground - Michigan Avenue being hallowed ground - is being violated," said shopper Jim Scully.
And back in the south suburbs, a plea.
"You love this city, you love Chicago. I love it, I have lived here my whole entire life. I love it more than anything and I want the best for the city and for everybody in the city," said the victim.
Police do not have any firm leads or anyone in custody.
