The incidents involve a gang of five to eight individuals of 13 to 18 years old, targeting the unsuspecting public and employing physical force to steal their belongings in Chicago's 1st district according to the Chicago Police Department.
The crimes have occurred primarily during this month in the Central District. Specific reports point towards incidents on the 0-100 block of South Wabash Ave and the 200 block of South Canal St on September 15, 2023, between 11:00 PM and 11:20 PM. The offenders are described as African American males and females, who were wearing multi-colored hooded sweatshirts as reported on the CPD Community Alert page.
The Chicago Police Department has issued some recommendations, such as being aware of one's surroundings, giving special attention to suspicious activity, and reporting any incidents to the authorities. Also, if confronted, remaining calm is essential, and expert advice suggests never pursuing a fleeing assailant, instead, providing the information to the police.
