Wrigley Field-Area Robberies, Abductions Now Up To 5: Chicago PD

CHICAGO — Chicago Police are warning residents in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood to be on alert as a string of abductions and robberies continue to take place around Wrigley Field.

A community alert has put the number of incidents involving men being forced into a car and then robbed of their cell phones and wallet at five, all of which took place on Sunday, police said.

In each case, police said that victims are approached from behind and the suspects have shown a gun and forced the victims into a car. In at least two cases, the vehicle has been described as a gray sedan. In each case, the victims have had their wallets and cell phone taken from them while they are in the vehicle before being dropped off unharmed.

Police said in a community alert that there are two to three suspects believed to be involved in the robberies. The suspects are described as being between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds and being between the ages of 25 and 30, police said.

Police warned local residents that they should be aware of their surroundings and should call 911 and report license plate information for any suspicious activity they see. All of the incidents have taken place in the area of Wrigley Field on Clark Street between Sheffield and Roscoe streets.

Ald. Tom Tunney (19th Ward) told the Sun-Times in a text message that he has complained about the lack of police presence in the area for several years, and that the recent robberies have only strengthened his argument. The newspaper reported that crime in the area is up 66 percent in the past year, robberies are up 48 percent and thefts are up 84 percent.

“I also let CPD leadership know once again that they need to increase the number of police officers assigned to the 19th District and that, in the interim, I fully support the district’s request to CPD headquarters to have these extra resources sent to the area for the Halloween weekend,” Tunney told the newspaper. “As always, I would like to remind residents to be aware of their surroundings, to walk in pairs, and to call the police if they see suspicious behavior.”