Residents and business owners in Lincoln Park, Sheffield & DePaul, and the South Side are on high alert as a series of armed robberies have struck retail locations across the 18th, 19th, and 22nd Districts. According to a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, these crimes have been perpetrated by a group of individuals utilizing a firearm to intimidate and steal from local establishments.
Marking the early hours of November 1, 2024, the suspects, described as 4-5 Black males aged 16-19, committing these robberies have been bold, hitting multiple locations within minutes of each other. Clad in black or dark-colored clothing and black ski masks, they undertook their spree of theft, starting on the 2400 block of W. 103rd St. in the South Side at 1:41 a.m., with subsequent robberies occurring in Lincoln Park and Sheffield & DePaul shortly thereafter. A striking commonality in these incidents is the use of a stolen gray 2020 Dodge Durango as their getaway vehicle.
The Chicago Police's detailed notice includes an additional warning to residents: "Never resist a robbery. Value your life over any and all property." The public has been advised to be vigilant, take note of unique identifiers such as scars or limps, and immediately report any sightings or encounters with the suspects to the police.
Moreover, the Chicago Police urge witnesses not to touch anything after a robbery and to protect the integrity of the crime scene until law enforcement arrives. Business owners have also been prompted to ensure that their surveillance equipment is operational and recording.
