Citizens of Chicago's 9th District are on edge after a series of armed robberies shook the Deering neighborhood in early April. According to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, one or two male suspects believed to be between 30 to 35 years of age, have been confronting and robbing individuals at gunpoint, escaping with stolen cash and personal items in a black SUV, possibly a Jeep.
The string of incidents occurred within the close timeframe and geography, the first taking place on the 5400 Block of South Honore Street on April 8, 2024, at around 1:25 AM, and the second robbery unraveled on the 1800 Block of West Garfield Boulevard the following day at approximately 1:00 AM. Each incident involved the assailants brandishing a black handgun as they accosted unsuspecting victims who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, the robbers then took what they could before quickly fleeing the area in the aforementioned vehicle.
The CPD has urged the public to remain vigilant and always be aware of their surroundings. They stress the importance of reporting suspicious activity immediately and, if confronted by an assailant, to remain as calm as possible. The police also advise noting any distinguishing features of the offenders, such as scars, limps, or dental characteristics, and to avoid chasing after the culprits, instead encouraging witnesses to save any video surveillance footage and to dial 9-1-1 promptly while providing as much information as they can to the officers.
The Chicago Police Department's plea to the public is clear: take no action that could further jeopardize safety but be observant, and if you become a witness or a victim, be a force multiplier for law enforcement by preserving the scene and any evidence you have access to, such as soliciting witness contact information and keeping the surveillance footage for the detectives who will inevitably look to piece together the actions of these armed and dangerous men before they can strike again.
