CPD: Group in black Infiniti G37 commits ten robberies across West-to-Northwest Side

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent out a community alert Wednesday, alerting residents on the city’s West-to-Northwest side of a string of armed robberies that feature a group of suspects armed with extended magazine handguns in a black Infiniti sedan.

According to CPD, a group of three-to-four males waring all black ski masks and clothing have committed at least ten armed robberies since Sunday — seven of which happened early Wednesday morning in the span of less than an hour — extending from the Bucktown, West Town and Wicker Park neighborhoods, out to the West Side neighborhoods of Austin and Humboldt Park.

“Most people at that time in the morning, they are halfway asleep,” said Jaime Rodriguez, owner of Bucktown Fitness Club, a business near one of the armed robberies. “And I don’t get out of my car until I look around first and see what’s going on, make sure there’s no cars passing by before I get out of my car and walk in here.”

In each incident, police said the group drove up to victims in a 2016 black Infiniti G37 sedan (Illinois license plate No. 9528382), pulled out Glock handguns with extended magazines, and ripped victims out of their vehicles at gunpoint before demanding their personal belongings — wallets, duffel bags, credit cards, cash and phones.

Police describe the suspects as being 17-25 years of age, around 5-feet-10-inches to six-feet tall, Black, with slim builds of around 130-150 pounds.

In one incident, CPD said the group pulled a victim out of their vehicle and slammed them to the ground, causing a shoulder injury.

Times and locations

  • 2200 Block of North Leavitt Street on March 10, 2024 @ 06:53 a.m.

  • 1600 Block of North Elston Avenue on March 11, 2024 @ 04:31 a.m.

  • 1900 Block of West North Avenue on March 11, 2024 @ 4:54 a.m.

  • 2100 Block of West North Avenue on March 13, 2024 @ 6:05 a.m.

  • 1800 Block of West North Avenue on March 13, 2024 @ 6:08 a.m.

  • 1500 Block of North Leavitt Street on March 13, 2024 @ 6:11 a.m.

  • 4000 Block of West Potomac Avenue on March 13, 2024 @ 6:28 a.m.

  • 2000 Block of West Le Moyne Street on March 13, 2024 @ 6:30 a.m.

  • 1200 Block of North Lavergne Avenue on March 13, 2024 @ 6:30 a.m.

  • 4800 Block of West Potomac Avenue on March 13, 2024 @ 6:36 a.m. (Aggravated Assault – Handgun and Criminal Damage to Vehicle)

*Video released by CPD Thursday of the armed robbery that occurred in the 1900 block of West North Avenue can be seen in the embedded video at the top of this article.

Safety tips from CPD

  • Be aware of your surroundings and unfamiliar or suspicious people in your area.

  • Walk with groups of individuals and do not carry large sums of money.

  • Do not try to rationalize or confront offenders, it could lead to possible injury

  • Park in well-lit areas and in areas where there is pedestrian and vehicular traffic

  • Notify neighbors of this crime pattern. If you see something suspicious, alert

  • Call 911 immediately if you are a victim or witness to a crime and provide a detailed description of the offender(s) and involved vehicles.

If you or someone you know has information that can help police make an arrest and conviction in the investigation of these incidents, CPD encourages you to reach out to Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.

Anonymous tips can also be filed online with CPD at cpdtip.com.

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