Residents of the 17th District are being alerted by Chicago police to a series of armed robberies that have recently disturbed the peace of their community. Businesses have been targeted by offenders who have displayed handguns and demanded cash with threatening force. According to a community alert issued by the police, at least two incidents occurred on the evening of July 28th, with robbers hitting establishments on the 3400 block of West Addison St and the 3600 block of West Montrose Ave within minutes of each other.
The alert, disseminated with intentions to quickly inform and to hopefully curb further instances, states that the suspects are two male Blacks; one with dreadlocks standing between 5'07" and 5'11", and the other towering slightly taller at 5'11" to 6'02". The first incident was recorded at 8:35 P.M. and the second shortly thereafter at 8:57 P.M. In one of these instances, the robbers did not just simply threaten but proceeded to utilize force to take an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency before making their escape.
Local authorities are providing guidelines for community members to follow in an effort to enhance safety and aid law enforcement. "Always be aware of your surroundings," the police advise, stressing the importance of remaining calm if confronted. Highlighting the necessity of observation, the police insist upon remembering "any unique physical characteristics (scars, tattoos, acne, limps, etc.)" that can greatly assist in identifying the culprits.
Community members are implored to act should they find themselves witness to such distressing events, with police urging them to "Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of the offenders, including any vehicle description and license plate information." The focus is clearly to not only swiftly report crimes but to also furnish authorities with actionable intel that could, undoubtedly, lead to a prompt arrest.
