What should have been routine pizza runs turned into holdups for two delivery drivers in Washington Park, as Chicago police investigate a pair of robberies on the South Side.
Authorities say the robberies happened on March 22 and April 10 on the 5600 block of South Wabash Avenue. In each case, suspects approached delivery drivers at their drop-off points, demanded property, and threatened the workers. Police say the suspects also tried to pass off counterfeit cash during the encounters.
Police release details
According to FOX 32 Chicago, investigators described the suspects as two Black men between about 20 and 30 years old. One of them allegedly pulled a black handgun during the April robbery.
The outlet reports the first robbery took place at about 10:40 p.m. on March 22, with the second incident unfolding around 5:30 p.m. on April 10. Police told the station the suspects used counterfeit bills to pay for orders and threatened to physically harm one of the drivers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com using reference number P26-1-040.
Police and community response
The Chicago Police Department is urging Washington Park residents and businesses to stay alert, secure doors and windows, and hang on to any surveillance footage that might help investigators. CPD has issued business alerts in other districts about robberies targeting delivery drivers, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Local coverage has also tracked a wider pattern of attacks on food and rideshare drivers across the South Side, including a series of armed robberies and an attempted hijacking targeting drivers in Garfield Park. In response, community advocates and some restaurants have pushed for tighter prepayment rules and clearer drop-off protocols in an effort to cut down on lure-and-robbery setups.
Safety steps for drivers and restaurants
Delivery drivers are being encouraged to reduce risk by using or requesting prepayment through apps or cards, steering clear of isolated drop-off spots, and keeping vehicles and keys secure. Restaurants, for their part, are being urged to consider no-cash policies for deliveries, rely on meeting-point drop-offs in well-lit areas, and stay in close communication with drivers when an order raises red flags.
If a driver feels unsafe, police say they should call 911 immediately and then report the situation to their employer so restaurants and delivery platforms can flag the order.
Chicago police say the investigation into the Washington Park robberies is ongoing and no arrests have been announced. More details on the alert are available from FOX 32 Chicago.
