Taxi, Uber driver cellphone thefts reported in the Loop

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning taxi and Uber drivers in the Loop about a series of reported cellphone thefts.

Police said the offenders distracted the drivers before allegedly stealing their cellphones, sometimes pretending to hand out fliers on the public way while accomplices opened the front passenger door.

In one incident, police said an accomplice displayed a black handgun. Incidents were reported at the following locations:

0-100-block of E. Randolph Street on Dec. 22, 2015 at 7 p.m.

100-block of N. State Street on Jan. 2 at 2:55 p.m.

100-block of N. State Street on Jan. 7 at 3:30 p.m.

0-100-block of E. Randolph Street on Jan. 7 at 3:15 p.m.

100-block of N. Michigan Avenue on Jan 15 at 3:31 p.m.

100-block of N. Michigan Avenue on Jan. 16 at 5:48 p.m.

0-100-block of E. Lake Street on Jan. 19 at 2:15 p.m.

The alleged offenders are described as African American men in their teens and 20s between 5-foot-1 and 5-foot-8, police said. Most were described as weighing between 145-175 pounds.

Anyone with information on these incidents is encouraged to contact Chicago police at 312-747-8384.