DePaul University Student Among Victims in Overnight Robberies in Chicago
A DePaul University student was among four people who fell victim to an armed robbery spree that targeted individuals in the Boystown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods overnight. According to Chicago police, the series of robberies took place within a span of 35 minutes.
Threats and Demands
Some of the victims reported that the robbers threatened them with violence, including the use of firearms, if they did not comply with demands to change their phone passcodes.
Chronology of Events
The first incident occurred in Boystown around 11:30 p.m., where a 47-year-old woman was confronted by two robbers in the 3400 block of North Broadway. They forcibly took her belongings and fled the scene on foot.
At 11:45 p.m., a 23-year-old woman was robbed in the 2800 block of North Pine Grove. Two male suspects brandished a handgun, demanded her possessions, and made their getaway in a white SUV.
The robbers returned to Boystown at 11:51 p.m., targeting a 21-year-old woman in the 700 block of West Roscoe.
Lastly, at 12:05 a.m., a pair of armed men approached a 20-year-old DePaul student in the 2300 block of North Sheffield, coercing him to surrender his belongings.
Suspects and Investigation
Less than half an hour later, law enforcement discovered the suspects’ white Honda CR-V abandoned in the 4300 block of West Gladys in West Garfield Park. The robbers were described as Black males dressed in black attire, potentially tracksuits, and masks. One firearm was equipped with a laser pointer.
Resurgence of Street Robbery Spree
The recent string of robberies bears resemblance to the previous waves of street robbery sprees that plagued Chicago for an extended period. These criminal groups were responsible for numerous robberies, at times targeting multiple victims within a short timeframe. The frequency of such incidents decreased when law enforcement apprehended some or all of the offenders.
After a period of dormancy, the robbery reports have seen a decline of 35% citywide this year, as per the latest statistics.
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