Englewood residents are on high alert after a series of brazen robberies carried out under the guise of Facebook Marketplace deals gone awry. The Chicago Police Department has issued a community alert for the 007th District, warning locals of a criminal ruse involving the sale of dirt bikes and motorcycles at seemingly unbeatable prices. According to the official police notice, the scam unfolds as the victim and so-called seller "Malik Green" agree to meet, only for the offenders to brandish handguns and demand money and phones.
The scheme has already been successfully executed twice on January 20, 2024, with incidents occurring within a stone's throw of each other at the 6700 Blocks of South Ada Street and South Elizabeth Street, the times of the robberies were at 5:13 PM and 4:40 PM respectively. The offenders, described as three male blacks donning masks and armed with handguns, are last seen clad in distinct green and purple jackets a description aimed at aiding potential witnesses and victims in identifying these felons.
Authorities are urging the public to practice increased vigilance, especially when engaging in transactions arranged over social media. In an effort to avert further incidents, the community is advised to conduct such exchanges at local police stations and to remain acutely aware of their surroundings. The police's advice for those who may find themselves in a similar predicament includes staying calm, noting distinguishing features of assailants, and not pursuing the criminals but rather contacting law enforcement immediately.
To assist in the ongoing investigation, the CPD encourages the public to report any suspicious activities and, when possible, to furnish detectives with any existing surveillance footage of the incident, the community's collaborative response is imperative to ensuring a swift apprehension of the suspects and the prevention of future attacks. Residents have also been reminded to seek witness contact information and, most crucially, to alert the authorities without delay by dialing 9-1-1 and ideally, remaining at the scene if it is safe to do so.
