String of NW Side robberies prompts alert

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are warning residents in three Northwest Side neighborhoods about a string of robberies in the area Friday.

In all three robberies, police say female victims were approached by two female offenders who then engaged the victims by asking for directions. The offenders then sprayed the victims with mace or pepper spray before taking their purses and cell phones.

The offenders have been seen fleeing in a cream-colored, late model sedan.

The incidents occurred between 5:35 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. Friday in the 2400-block of West Cortez Street in Ukrainian Village, the 1700-block of West Haddon Avenue in East Square and the 2200-block of West Hirsch Street in Wicker Park.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.