Far South Side Man Accused of Targeting Victims on Gay Dating App in Armed Robberies
A 26-year-old man, Damarko Gibson, is facing charges for a series of armed robberies targeting victims he met on a gay dating app on the Far South Side of Chicago. Prosecutors allege that Gibson arranged meetups with men, engaged in consensual sexual activity, and then brandished a gun to force the victims to hand over their phones, wallets, and money.
Chicago police issued a community alert on October 23, linking six incidents to the broader crime pattern, and suspect that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.
One of the incidents Gibson is charged with occurred on September 2, when a 41-year-old man invited Gibson to his home near State Street and West 108th Place after connecting on Grindr. After a brief consensual encounter, Gibson allegedly pulled out a gun, demanded the victim’s phone, and proceeded to transfer money out of the victim’s account using Zelle before leaving with the victim’s wallet and phone.
In another incident on October 16, a 61-year-old man visiting from Seattle met Gibson on Grindr and was coerced into driving Gibson to an ATM to withdraw money at gunpoint. Gibson allegedly made the victim withdraw $1,000 from one card and $500 from another before fleeing.
The most recent robbery took place on October 23, where a 26-year-old man picked up Gibson from Grindr but decided not to bring him home. Instead, the victim drove to an area behind a church on the 100 block of West 127th Street, where Gibson pulled a gun and demanded money. However, the Zelle transaction failed, and Gibson fled the scene.
Judge John Hock has ordered Gibson to be detained on three counts of armed robbery. Chicago police are urging any additional victims to come forward and contact Area Two detectives at 312-747-8273.
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