A group of armed, masked suspects has robbed four Chicago businesses since early July, smashing glass display cases, beating victims and making off with cash, jewelry and a stolen wallet and cellphone, according to Chicago police. Investigators released surveillance video connected to the case Friday and are now asking the public for help identifying the people responsible.
The four robberies stretched across three separate neighborhoods and police districts: Wicker Park, Heart of Chicago and LeClaire Courts, according to Chicago police. As reported by FOX 32 Chicago, the spree began at 9:28 a.m. on July 2 in the 4500 block of South Cicero Avenue in LeClaire Courts, followed by a second robbery at 10:03 a.m. on July 6 in the 1400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. That Wicker Park corridor is known for its dense mix of boutique retail and specialty shops, a high-foot-traffic setting that draws heavy daytime business.
The suspects returned to the exact same LeClaire Courts commercial strip on August 1, striking again at 4:15 p.m. in the 4500 block of South Cicero Avenue — the same block hit five weeks earlier. A fourth robbery followed at 10:57 a.m. on August 11 in the 2300 block of West Cermak Road in Heart of Chicago. In each case, police say the suspects entered the businesses armed with handguns and demanded keys and access codes to store safes.
What the Suspects Did Inside
Once inside, the suspects broke glass display cases and stole money and jewelry, according to police. Robbery victims were physically attacked during the incidents, per Chicago police, and in at least one case suspects also took a victim’s wallet and cellphone. Police describe the suspects as two to four Black males wearing dark masks, standing roughly 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing between 130 and 230 pounds…