At least 12 robberies reported downtown over last month and a half: Chicago police

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's an alarming trend: Chicago police say there have been at least 12 different robberies dating back to Aug. 1. All of them happened on some of downtown's busiest streets.

One of those incidents happened in broad daylight this week near Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. That area is always filled with people walking around.

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Chicago police say, in each of the incidents, a group of suspects targeted a person who was alone while using physical force to take gold chains or other personal belongings off the victims.

The incidents took place at the following locations:
- 9:30 p.m. Aug. 1 in the 1100-block of South Columbus Drive (Grant Park)
- 9:45 p.m. Aug. 2 in the 200-block of East Balbo Drive (Grant Park)
- 3:44 p.m. Aug. 11 in the 300-block of South Columbus (Grant Park)
- 5:25 p.m. Aug. 13 in the 300-block of East Wacker (New Eastside)
- 8:43 a.m. Aug. 22 in the 0-100 block of East Wacker (Chicago Loop)
- 8:48 a.m. Aug. 22 in the 0-100 block of East Wacker (Chicago Loop)
- 11 a.m. Aug. 22 in the 200-block of East Roosevelt Drive (Grant Park)
- 4:12 p.m. Aug. 29 in the 100-200 block of East Wacker (Chicago Loop)
- 10:20 a.m. Sept. 6 in the 200-block of North Clark Street (Chicago Loop)
- 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the 100-block of North Lake Shore Drive (New Eastside)
- 3 p.m. Sept. 18 in the 600-block of North Michigan (Near North)
- 4:25 p.m. Tuesday in the 0-100 block of East Wacker (Chicago Loop)

One woman who works near Michigan and Wacker said she just witnessed a woman get robbed there last week.

"He just snatched her purse and ran across the bridge; she just started screaming. And PD came, then kept going," Erika Burgess said.

"It's kind of alarming because I feel Chicago already has a stereotype about the crime. But, if you look around, it's a lot of beauty, too. So, I think they should hop on it so stigma does not grow," said Diamond Jones, who works in the Loop.

Chicago police say it's important to not fight back or chase after the suspects in these situations, and always try walking with others in public areas.

At this time, police have not arrested anyone in connection to the robberies.

The suspects are described as four men and women who are 20 to 40 years old, and one male suspect wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.

Anyone with information should call Area Three Detectives at (312) 744-8263.

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