The Chicago Police Department has issued a warning to South Side residents about potential party invitations being used as a setup for armed robberies.
Authorities report that a group of armed individuals has been targeting party-goers in the Chatham, Grand Crossing, and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods. The robbers have struck at least nine times since February, with investigators linking these incidents as part of a larger crime pattern. Notably, five robberies occurred on the same block.
In a community alert, the CPD stated that victims are invited to parties and subsequently confronted by multiple armed offenders as they leave. These robbers are primarily after the victims’ phones, according to police.
The majority of these incidents have occurred in the 7900 block of South Wabash Avenue. Police have documented robberies there on February 23 at 12:30 a.m., March 6 at 11:20 p.m., April 11 at 11:50 p.m., April 22 at 10:45 p.m., and May 9 at 11:00 p.m.
Two other robberies took place in close proximity to each other in Grand Crossing, specifically in the 7000 block of South Vernon Avenue at 2 a.m. on April 26, and the 6900 block of South Vernon Avenue at 3:30 a.m. on May 9.
The final two reported incidents occurred in the 7800 block of South Carpenter Street at 3:30 a.m. on May 10, and in the 7000 block of South King Drive at 3 a.m. on April 23.
Area Two detectives are leading the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 312-747-8273.
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