Recent Spike in Armed Robberies and Carjackings in West Town Area
CHICAGO — The West Town community area, which saw a decrease in armed robberies and carjackings following multiple arrests earlier this year, is now experiencing a resurgence in criminal activity.
Over the course of Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, a total of five armed robberies and carjackings were reported in neighborhoods such as Logan Square, the West Loop, and Ukrainian Village, with some incidents believed to be connected.
One of the incidents occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Friday, where a limo driver was carjacked at gunpoint by three individuals in the 2200 block of West Race. The suspects, dressed in black clothing and masks, stole the victim’s 2020 Lincoln Continental. Another individual in a dark SUV was seen following the stolen vehicle.
Shortly after, at approximately 10:40 p.m., three masked men approached a woman in the 400 block of North Aberdeen, threatening her with a firearm and stealing her purse and phone.
In the early hours of Saturday, two masked men in a silver sedan robbed two individuals at gunpoint in the 900 block of West Randolph.
On Saturday afternoon, the crimes continued as a dark SUV involved in a previous carjacking intentionally collided with another vehicle at Campbell and Wabansia in Logan Square. Five masked individuals exited the SUV and drove away with the victim’s white Kia sedan.
Later that afternoon, two men brandishing guns robbed two women at gunpoint in the 900 block of North Wolcott, fleeing the scene in a white sedan driven by a third accomplice.
All suspects were described as young Black males wearing dark hoodies and ski masks.
Earlier in the year, the West Town area experienced a significant increase in robbery reports, surpassing the previous year’s numbers. However, thanks to several arrests made by law enforcement, there was a noticeable decline in criminal activity in the region. One police district reported a 35% reduction in robberies compared to last year, while another district saw a 44% decrease. Although the numbers remain higher than in recent years, the improvement is evident.
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