String of violent robberies has Chinatown area residents on alert

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are warning people walking the Chinatown area late at night after four violent robberies in the past week

The rain didn't keep some walkers from getting around Saturday, but along South Wells Street last weekend Chicago police investigated two robberies and then they say the attackers struck again later in the week.

Four robberies took place, all in the Chinatown area between last Sunday and Friday.

On October 25, there were two robbery attacks, one on South Stewart Avenue, the other in the 2000-block of South Wells Street.

The other two happened a few days later in the 200-block of West Cullerton and in the 1900-block of South Wells.

"I am surprised, it's a very nice block," said Rose Bazan. "It seems very peaceful, everybody kind of watches out for everyone else."

"Most of the nights I can see a police car patrolling right here, even the park," Shaojie Zhang said. "So i think it's pretty safe."

One thing the robberies on South Wells Street, Cullerton and South Stewart have in common is the attackers. Police say the descriptions are similar - three people, possibly two men and a woman, who sneak up from behind, hit their victim and demand valuables.

Each of the robberies happened after 11 p.m. at night, one incident at nearly 4:30 a.m. Chicago police say the best way to combat crime like this is to be aware of your surroundings.