Chicago residents using food delivery and rideshare services have been facing an alarming series of violent crimes across the city. According to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, several armed robberies and aggravated vehicular hijackings occurred in Area Four over two consecutive days, with incidents reported on Maypole Avenue and Madison Street as well as Keeler Avenue.
The offenders, believed to be groups of two to four male African American teenagers wearing dark clothing, hoodies, and face masks, have devised a modus operandi in which they utilize the guise of food delivery or rideshare services to draw victims to a predetermined location. Once there, these individuals rob the unsuspecting drivers of their belongings or commandeer their vehicles, with one report detailing how the assailants posed as passengers only to reveal handguns partway through the journey and force the victim to abandon their car.
Incidents have spanned across multiple locations, indicating a potentially wider threat across the region. Specific instances occurred on the 4100 block of W. Maypole Ave. twice last Sunday, first at 3:00 AM and then again at 6:27 AM. Later, the pattern continued with two additional crimes reported on the 4200 and 4400 blocks of W. Maypole Ave on Monday at 9:10 PM and 10:22 PM respectively. Finally, last Tuesday, at the cusp of a new day, two more occurrences were added to the tally, one on the 4100 block of W. Madison St. at 2:00 AM and another mere minute later on the 200 block of N. Keeler Ave.
Police have advised the public to maintain vigilance and commit to memory any distinguishing characteristics of potential offenders—such as scars, limps, acne, or distinct dental features—should they find themselves in a similar predicament. However, the primary guidance is to prioritize personal safety over property, resisting or pursuing perpetrators is discouraged, victims should instead focus on being a resource to law enforcement by remembering key details and preserving evidence when possible.
