Chicago police investigating 4 incidents in latest armed robbery spree on North, Northwest sides

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are investigating at least four incidents as armed robbers again targeted victims on the North and Northwest sides Wednesday morning.

All of the armed robberies and attempted armed robberies took place in about 20 minutes and involved roughly half a dozen people. The incidents come after a number of robberies in the same area were reported over the weekend and on Tuesday morning.

In all of the incidents Wednesday, police said four men got out of a gray or dark sedan armed with handguns and robbed the victims of their wallets and cell phones before taking off.

Chicago police: At least 5 victims targeted in North Side armed robbery spree

Police said the first armed robbery occurred at about 12:53 a.m. in the 1600-block of West Chicago Avenue as two men, 18 and 26, were walking on the sidewalk when the suspects approached. Police said the robbers fled with the victims' money and cell phones.

The second incident took place at about 1 a.m. in the 1800-block of West Chicago Avenue as a 52-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were standing on the sidewalk. Police said the suspects fled after stealing the woman's purse.

Chicago police issue alert after 19 armed robberies on NW Side

The third incident occurred in the 2800-block of West Chicago Avenue at about 1:05 a.m. as two men, ages 36 and 29, were standing on the sidewalk when the suspects approached and attempted to rob the victims. Police said the suspects fled without taking anything.

The fourth incident occurred in the 800-block of North Orleans Street at about 1:12 a.m. as two men were walking on the sidewalk. Police said the robbers stole their cell phones and wallets before fleeing.

The overnight crime spree has left some neighborhood residents on edge.

"I have heard things, and seems like there is a lot more crime from when I originally moved into this neighborhood," Nick Bajal said.

Wednesday morning's string comes after at least five other armed robberies on Tuesday morning in the same general area where victims were robbed by multiple armed suspects.

"Be careful, but I would say don't let it affect the way you live your life," Lee Grasemann said.

Over this past weekend, police reported 19 armed robberies, all with a similar narrative. That led to police releasing a community alert to warn residents about this concerning series of crimes.

Investigators have yet to say if any of the overnight robberies are linked in any way.

No one is in custody in connection with the robberies and Area Three detectives are investigating. .

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