Residents and business owners in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood are on high alert after the Chicago Police Department reported a series of armed robberies in the area. The incidents took place at and near a McDonald's on the 6300 block of South Ashland Avenue, with the assailants targeting victims for money, cell phones, and even food.

The business alert, issued by the police, details three separate occurrences: one on September 2, 2024, at approximately 8:10 AM, another on September 1, 2024, at 8:18 P.M., and a previous attack on August 10, 2024, at 9:00 P.M. all involving two or more male suspects believed to be between 16 and 29 years of age, who concealed their identities with ski masks and wielded handguns to intimidate their victims before fleeing the scene on foot.

As a response to these distressing episodes of crime, authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant and report any dubious behavior without delay. Patrons and staff of the McDonald's restaurant, along with others in the vicinity, should be on the lookout for individuals matching the description of the offenders or anyone acting suspiciously, especially those carrying concealed firearms or donning ski masks.

Following the string of robberies in the Englewood district, Chicago Police are also offering precautionary advice, recommending that locals should avoid engaging with the assailants and instead prioritizing safety by committing to memory any distinctive features that could aid in their identification. They are also advising witnesses and nearby surveillance operators to maintain a copy of any useful footage and to share contact information with the police if approached by a witness to the incident. In the event of a crime, individuals are instructed to call 9-1-1 immediately and to stay at the scene when it's safe to do so.