Seniors robbed in series of attacks in Chinatown neighborhood, Chicago police warn: VIDEO

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Surveillance video shows one of five robberies that Chicago police are warning residents about in Chinatown.

Video shows the victim walking back to their apartment Tuesday on Princeton Avenue when a man in a mask approaches from behind around 6:15 p.m.

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That victim is pushed to the ground and robbed of some cash before the suspect runs off.

You can see that same suspect earlier in the week as he enters one of those senior living buildings on Princeton Avenue with an e-bike.

A longtime resident there, who does not want to be identified, says these robberies have gotten out of hand, and she wants more police around the neighborhood.

"All this perimeter need to be policed, because if not that's a target, they'll come back, because they'll see they're coming off the casino bus with all this money and, 'I want it.' They won't care if they kill you or not," she said.

Chicago police said the other four incidents, all targeting people between 63 and 80 years old, happened near Stewart and West 22nd Place, with many happening near senior residential buildings.

Full list of robberies:

• 2200-block of South Princeton Avenue on Nov. 15 at 6:15 p.m.


• 2200-block of South Princeton Avenue on Nov. 17 at 7 a.m.


• 2300-block of South Stewart Avenue on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m.


• 300-block of West 23rd Street on Nov. 19 at 5:15 p.m.


• 200-block of West 22nd Place on Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Police said in each incident, a suspect or a group of suspects approaches a senior citizen and shoves or punches them. The suspects brandish a pocketknife and/or spray their victims with mace or pepper spray.

The thieves then search the victim and take belongings from their pockets or purses.

"It's really disgusting when anybody targets seniors," said Ald. Nicole Lee. "It doesn't make sense to me at all because the seniors in our community, they're not walking around with pockets full of money, so it's very upsetting. It's upsetting to the community. Obviously, families are very concerned about their elderly family members."

Community activist Dr. Kim Tee has also been advocating for additional police resources in the neighborhood over the last year as these crimes have become more common.

"They're very vulnerable and criminals target them. We need to do something. We want the culprit to be caught immediately, so they won't hurt anyone else," Tee said.

There are at least three offenders, police said.

One suspect is described as a man between 30 and 60 years old who is between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds. He has a short hairstyle and wears a black jacket, a black hooded sweatshirt and black or dark blue pants.

Another suspect is described as a woman between 40 and 50 years old who weighs between 120 and 150 pounds. She wears black pants and a white jacket.

Police said there was no detailed description of the male third suspect.

"This is a very walkable community. People walk. We have seven senior buildings in the 11th Ward, so it's really disturbing that not just one, but potentially three different people are targeting our seniors," Lee said.

Chicago police say no one has been arrested, but urged residents to stay aware of their surroundings.

They say if you're ever being robbed, it is best to remain calm and not chase after or fight with the offender.

Police asked anyone with information to call them at 312-747-8384.

"Anybody with video cameras that may have picked up any of the robberies happening, please reach out to Area One detectives with the 9th District. We just really need people to be vigilant and to help each other out," Lee said.

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