4 armed robberies happen within about 30 minutes overnight on the city’s Southwest Side, police say

CHICAGO — Four armed robberies happened within about 30 minutes overnight on the city’s Southwest Side, according to Chicago police.

Police say the crime spree began around 1 a.m. Monday, with a total of 11 victims. Police have not said whether the armed robberies are connected, but in all four cases they say the victims were approached by two offenders, who then fled in a dark-colored SUV after stealing their property.

There were no injuries reported, according to police, aside from one victim who was taken to an area hospital for evaluation but treated and released.

Police say they have no suspects in custody.

“We believe they are all connected and done by the same individual,” said 18th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez, adding that residents check their ring cameras for anything suspicious.

The first armed robbery, police say, happened just after 1 a.m. in the 4600 block of South California Avenue in the Brighton Park neighborhood.

According to police, two females, ages 33 and 17, were walking on the sidewalk when two armed offenders approached and made them get on the ground. The offenders then demanded property from the victims and proceeded to go through their pockets, removing belongings before fleeing in a dark-colored SUV.

Then, about 20 minutes later, police say two women, 57 and 48, were in the 4800 block of South Seeley Avenue, in the New City neighborhood, when two male offenders approached. Police say the offenders showed guns, demanded the victims get on the ground and took their property. The offenders then fled eastbound in a dark-colored SUV.

Police say the 57-year-old woman was treated and released at an area hospital.

Shortly after that, in the 4200 block of South Richmond Street, also in Brighton Park, police say three women, 46, 42 and 21, and two men, 52 and 44, exited their vehicle and were approached by two male offenders with guns.

Police say the offenders made the victims get on the ground and went through their pockets, removing items. Again, the offenders fled in a dark-colored SUV.

Right after that, in the 2500 block of West 46th Street — again, in Brighton Park — police say a 42-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were in a driveway when they were approached by two male offenders armed with guns.

According to police, the offenders demanded the victims to get on the ground and took their property before fleeing in a dark-colored SUV.

“What I don’t want to see is a prolonged crime spree because people are afraid to come forward,” Lopez said.

Police have not said whether the strong of armed robberies are connected.

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