Crime spree: Chicago police link group of suspects to 14 armed robberies in 2 days
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police say a group of four to five men have been linked to a spree of more than a dozen armed robberies on the city's West and Northwest Sides in just two days.
Police said the robberies took place in the city's 14th, 16th and 25th districts. In each instance, a suspect or suspects approached the victims and then either threatened them with a handgun or struck them with a handgun before taking personal property. The suspects then flee the scene.
Police released a two and a half minute montage of video from the crime spree.
One robbery took place in the 2600 block of West Fletcher Avenue on March 14 at 7:41 p.m., police said. The other 13 robberies all took place between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 16 at the following locations:
- 1600 block of North Linder Ave
- 1700 block of North Lotus Ave
- 4200 block of West Armitage Ave
- 2300 block of North Springfield Ave
- 2800 block of North Harding Ave
- 2300 block of North Lawndale Ave
- 2000 block of North Campbell Ave
- 2600 block of North Mozart St
- 2600 block of North Spaulding Ave
- 4800 block of West Hutchinson Ave
- 2900 block of North Ridgeway Ave
- 2700 block of West George Street
- 2700 block of North Lawndale Ave
Police said in the incident on Ridgeway, a gun was fired and a woman was struck in the neck and shoulder.
"As soon as I turned in and was pulling into the parking space, I see a group of six men in ski masks," said Sasha, who did not want to share her last name and witnessed the suspects before the crime."I saw them running my way and I was like 'I'm gone.'"
By the time she'd parked and called 911, police said a woman had been shot half a block away.
"I think I had too much adrenaline to even hear it. I know my sister heard it," she said.
Chicago City Council public safety chair Ald. Brian Hopkins said he's working closely with police as detectives piece together a trail of violent video clips and photos.
"They're highly motivated because they are aware that this particular crew is a dangerous, violent group of offenders a and they're a real threat to the public safety right now," he said.
The suspects are described as four or five Black males between 18 and 30 years old. They wear black ski masks, black joggers or black jeans, and black hoodies. The suspects are between 5 ft. 10 in and 6 ft. tall and about 150 to 180 lbs., with slim builds. Chicago police said they are armed with black handguns, rifles and knives.
If you have any information, contact Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.
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