Chicago police issue warning after West, Northwest Side armed robbery spree

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Police Department has issued a crime alert after a string of armed robberies on the city's West and Northwest Sides.

At least 13 armed robberies were reported. The crimes happened between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in various locations, police said.

In each crime, three to four armed men wearing masks and black clothing exited a white Nissan Altima and stole property from victims. In some of the crimes, a blue sedan or a white Honda Civic were also driven by the offenders.

The brazenness of one of the crimes that was caught on surveillance video is shocking to watch, as a group of robbers wielding guns pulled off a mini crime spree in several Chicago neighborhoods.

The video shows the incident that happened in the 4300 block of West Armitage Avenue. After an initial robbery attempt was unsuccessful, the suspect turned his attention to a person walking down the street while the other gunmen appear to rob another person inside a nearby laundromat.

In six of the incidents, a victim was hit in the face by a handgun.

Chicago police said in an additional incident, one of the armed robbers pointed a gun at a victim who had just witnessed a robbery and chased him down an alley and robbed him.

Full list of locations and times:

• 1200 block of S. St. Louis. on December 19-20 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

• 4300 block of W. Armitage Ave. on December 20 at 5:10 a.m.

• 4300 block of W. Armitage Ave. on December 20 at 5:10 a.m.

• 3800 block of W. 24th St. on December 20 at 5:35 a.m.

• 3600 block of W. 24th St. on December 20 at 5:45 a.m.

• 2400 block of S. Central Park on December 20 at 5:45 a.m.

• 1500 block of S. Central Park on December 20 at 6:00 a.m.

• 1300 block of N. Keeler Ave on December 20 at 6:00 a.m.

• 3500 block of W. Chicago Ave on December 20 at 6:10 a.m.

• 4000 block of W. Chicago Ave on December 20 at 6:14 a.m.

• 1600 block of N. Narragansett Ave on December 20 at 6:40 a.m.

• 1700 block of N. Moody Ave on December 20 at 7:00 a.m.

• 1400 block of N. Waller Ave on December 20 at 7:07 a.m.

Chicago police have issued a reminder to beware of surroundings and to comply with an armed robber instead of fighting back.

No one was in custody as police continue to investigate.

No further information about the crimes was available.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood