CHICAGO (WLS) — Eight women were robbed in Lincoln Park in four separate incidents over less than 15 minutes in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Chicago police said.
Police have not said whether the robberies are linked.
The first robbery occurred in the 2000 block of North Howe Street at around 12:07 pm. A 27-year-old man and 26-year-old woman told police that two male suspects got out of a white SUV and asked for their belongings.
The second robbery occurred in the 800 block of West Belden Avenue at around 12:15 pm. A 23-year-old woman told police she was approached by a male suspect getting out of a silver SUV.
The suspect asked for the victim's belongings and the victim complied.
The third robbery occurred in the 2200 block on North Burling Street at around 12:18 pm. Police said two 19-year-old women told officers that two male suspects got out of a silver SUV.
The suspects demanded the victim's belongings and they complied, police said.
The fourth robbery occurred around 12:20 pm in block 2200 North Geneva Terrace. The three female victims told police that two male suspects got out of the silver SUV and took their belongings.
The victims complied and the suspects returned to the SUV and fled the scene, police said. One of the women fell during the incident and was transported to the Illinois Masonic Hospital in good condition.
This is the latest crime to hit the neighborhood in recent weeks.
“When we go out at night, we take taxis and Uber. During the day we feel fine,” said Melissa Breen, a former Lincoln Park resident.
Breen and Steve Eckert moved to California, but they spent their summers in their home of many years in Lincoln Park. They said coming back tasted different
“Chicago has a problem. What are people going to do? You come to Chicago for the nightlife and you can't walk. You can't walk to Kingston Mines for the blues and back. I mean, I would do it, but I would rather more alert than ever,” Eckert said.
Prior to last night there had been at least 14 separate robberies in Lincoln Park since June 1. So far no one has been seriously injured.
CPD said most of the crimes took place between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on residential streets located directly off major business corridors such as Armitage and Halsted.
Alderman Timmy Knudsen, who represents the 43rd Ward, said he was looking for whoever becomes the city's next superintendent of police to provide more consistent patrols in his neighborhood.
“I just want as many patrols as we can. Understand that the 18th district is an understaffed district. We've asked for walking patrols. worked hard today and we are trying to get them into the area,” he said.
No one has been arrested in connection with any of the robberies and Area Three detectives are investigating.