Chicago police are warning residents and guests in River North after a string of robberies wherein offenders allegedly tricked victims into handing over their telephones earlier than stealing cash by digital cost apps. Among the robberies have turned violent.
All 4 crimes occurred this month throughout early morning hours on weekends within the 600 block of North Dearborn Avenue, in line with CPD. In every case, a bunch of as much as eight individuals approached victims underneath the pretense of asking for a donation or requesting that the sufferer observe them on Instagram.
As soon as the sufferer handed over a cellphone, the group used apps reminiscent of Zelle or Apple Pay to switch cash to themselves.
Police mentioned power was used in opposition to victims who didn’t cooperate. In a single incident, a robber led the sufferer towards a bigger group of offenders, the place property was taken by power.
Robberies had been reported on December 13 at 3 a.m.; December 20 at 3:30 a.m. and once more at 5 a.m.; and round 3:30 a.m. on December 21.
CPD described the group as between three and eight Black males between 20 and 30 years previous carrying darkish clothes.
Anybody with data is requested to contact Space Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit an nameless tip at CPDTIP.com and reference crime sample P25-3-055.
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