Residents of Portage Park and Albany Park are on high alert after a series of strong-arm robberies targeted individuals in broad daylight and evening hours. According to the Chicago Police Department, these incidents have seen a sharp rise, with assailants preferring physical confrontation over stealth or stealthy tactics to seize their victims’ belongings.
The two latest incidents, as reported, involve a single suspect who approached victims on foot and forcibly took their purses. In the first incident occurring on the 5000 block of W. Grace, the victim’s stolen Ventra card was used following the robbery. The second incident, which took place on the 4800 block of N. Spaulding, saw the offender fleeing towards the Brown Line. This modality of street crime, though not uncommon, is cause for increased vigilance in the affected neighborhoods.
The suspect in these crimes is described as an African-American male, aged approximately between 25 to 40 years, standing at around 5’10” to 6’0″ tall, and weighing between 150 and 180 pounds. His attire during the incidents included a black durag, navy blue track jacket, blue jeans, and red gym shoes. It’s noted that this information should not breed undue fear but be used to augment community safety and awareness…