3 North Side convenience stores robbed in 27 minutes

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two people were arrested in connection with three convenience store robberies on the city's North Side early Friday, but authorities say two other suspects are still on the run.

The most recent robbery happened at a 7-Eleven at Grand and Halsted at 2:55 a.m. Friday, police said. Robberies were also reported at a Circle K store in the 1600-block of West Diversey at 2:23 a.m. and a 7-Eleven store in the 2600-block of North Lincoln at 2:30 a.m.

Police say officers saw the suspects and chased them until them until they crashed their SUV into a viaduct at Grand and Cortland avenues. A man a woman were were arrested at Grand and Cicero after a foot chase.

Paramedics took the clerk from the Grand and Halsted 7-Eleven to the hospital after he was pistol-whipped by one of the robbers. Another clerk was treated for a cut on his hand. No serious injuries were reported.

Authorities haven't released the surveillance video or names of the man and woman in custody, and no charges have been filed.

It's unknown if the robberies are connected, though the incidents come as part of a string of nine burglaries and robberies in the area in March.

"It makes me feel not safe just because I come here all the time, so when I'm coming back home from school, I don't feel like it's too safe for us," said Amy Salgado, a student from Logan Square. "Especially students. And it's right by the Blue Line."

The incidents have customers and nearby residents concerned.

"I'm absolutely concerned. I work at a business that's not far from here, so that's intimidating," said Nicole Esposito, who works near the North Lincoln 7-Eleven store.

"You sometimes you have to watch your back, pray, sometimes people are in the wrong place at the wrong time, it's very unfortunate," said Xavier Taylor, a Circle K customer.