Residents of the 9th District in Chicago are on high alert after a series of brazen armed robberies have struck the Deering community. According to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, assailants are using a red/burgundy Dodge Challenger as their vehicle of choice to carry out these crimes, threatening locals with handguns and violently seizing their possessions.
The string of incidents occurred in different locations, with the first taking place on the 6400 block of S. Maryland on December 9 at approximately 6 a.m., followed by two more on December 10 at the 5100 block of S. Troy at 12:58 p.m. and the 4800 block of S. Bishop at 1:30 p.m. The Chicago Police Department describes the offenders as two African-American males, believed to be between 16-18 years old, around 5'9", clad in dark clothing and masks.
In response to these alarming events, the police are urging the public to take precautions, such as being vigilant of their surroundings and reporting any suspicious activities immediately. If confronted, individuals are advised to remain calm and attempt to note any distinctive physical characteristics of their assailants.
The department advises against pursuing fleeing suspects and encourages the public to instead focus on providing detailed information to the authorities. They stress the importance of preserving video evidence when available and obtaining contact information from any witnesses at the scene. Those in the vicinity of a crime are reminded to dial 9-1-1 without delay and to wait for police when it's possible to do so safely. Additional recommendations include avoiding leaving keys in an unattended, running vehicle.
