Chicago police investigating string of armed robberies, carjackings, including 1 involving news crew

CHICAGO (WLS) -- When Laura Grover takes her 6-month-old child out for a walk in Bucktown, she leaves her valuables at home and logs into a city emergency app on her phone.

"It basically tracks where I'm going while I'm on a walk, so my husband can see me where I am, and if there is an emergency, I can press a button a call police," Grover said.

Taking safety precautions is necessary, even in a quiet tree lined relatively safe neighborhood.

Chicago police are investigating a series of armed robberies and carjackings that occurred in the South Loop and Northwest Side Sunday night and Monday morning, including that of a news crew. Police have not linked the incidents.

In each case, the victims were ambushed by two to four people and in some cases the victims were beaten then robbed. The victims included a news crew from Univision.

Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward said the crimes are getting more brazen and violent.

"Yesterday, I was out watching the police, working with them, and they were doing a great job trying to track a couple of crews down but again, they got up to high speeds and they called it off. They don't want to endanger other people. I know people want us to just chase every criminal, but when it gets to a situation where it's a liability of not only on the city but the issue of hurting other pedestrians or drivers, you have to be very careful," Waguespack said. "I think the brazenness of these criminals has gone behind the pale."

Waguespack said supporting police is only part of the solution. He and residents are calling on City Hall to step up.

"We also need people up on top to say, 'The criminality has to stop.' And, I'm talking about the mayor," Waguespack said.

"We need help, and we need some things to happen right now, not just wait for it to happen eventually," Grover said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson did not talk about the armed robberies on Monday morning following a police graduation ceremony. The mayor walked away from reporters after only taking a three quick questions.

But, the mayor's office did release written statement, saying the police department's bureau of patrol and detectives are enhancing internal coordination and collaboration to solve robbery and motor vehicle theft cases.

The alderman said, at this point, Chicago will need help not just from city officials, but county and state assistance as well.

The robberies happened at the following times and locations:

The first robbery occurred in the 2200-block of West Hirsch Street at about 9:44 p.m. A man and woman told police they were approached by suspects who got out of a dark-colored sedan.

The man told police he was punched multiple times and took the personal belongings of the victims. The suspects then fled the scene and the man declined treatment at the scene.

A second robbery occurred in the 2000-block of North Hoyne Avenue at about 9:50 p.m.

A 67-year-old man and 29-year-old woman were outside walking when three male suspects got out of a blue sedan, police said. One suspect was armed with a handgun and they demanded the victims' property.

The victims complied and the man was punched several times, police said. He was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in good condition.

A third incident occurred in the 2100-block of North Hoyne Avenue at about 9:55 p.m., police said.

Police said a 35-year-old man was approached by three suspects who got out of a blue sedan and began to punch the victim after refusing to hand over his belongings.

The suspects fled the scene and the victim was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in good condition, police said.

The fourth incident occurred at about 10:12 p.m. in the 1200-block of North Milwaukee Avenue, police said.

A woman told police three male suspects got out of a blue sedan and approached her. They pointed a gun at her and demanded her car, police said.

The suspects then fled in the sedan and the victim's white SUV, police said. The woman was not injured.

A fifth incident occurred in the 3000-block of North Lamon Avenue at about 10:50 p.m., police said.

A 33-year-old man said he was approached by two suspects. He said one of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his belongings.

The victim complied and the suspects fled on foot, police said.

A sixth incident occurred in the 1300-block of West Randolph Street at about 10:31 p.m.

Two women, ages 23 and 44, were robbed at gunpoint after two suspects got out of a white SUV, police said.

After the suspects demanded the victims' belongings, the 44-year-old woman complied and the 23-year-old refused, police said. The suspects then kicked the 23-year-old woman and fled the scene, police said.

The suspects fled the scene and the 23-year-old woman was transported to RUSH University Medical Center in good condition.

A seventh incident occurred in the 2100-block of West Ohio Street at about 10:45 p.m.

Police said a man was getting out of his black SUV when he approached by an armed male suspect.

The suspect demanded the victim's vehicle and the man complied, police said. No injuries were reported.

An eighth incident occurred in the 600-block of South Wells Street at about 12:27 a.m.

A 24-year-old man was walking when police said he was approached by four male suspects who got out of a dark-colored sedan. The suspects told the victim not to move and he fled the scene on foot and was not injured, police said.

Later Monday morning at 4:53 a.m., two men, ages 28 and 42, were in the 1200-block of North Milwaukee Avenue when a black SUV and a gray sedan approached, police said.

Three male suspects wearing ski masks and armed with guns exited and robbed the two men before fleeing, police said.

Univision confirmed a reporter and photographer were robbed.

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