April 29--Chicago police have released surveillance photos of a man suspected of robbing cabbies at knifepoint in recent weeks on the North Side.
Police believe the man in the photos robbed a cabdriver about 6 a.m. April 19 in the 2800 block of West Ardmore Avenue in West Rogers Park. He is also suspected of robbing a cabbie in the 2400 block of West Eastwood Avenue in the Ravenswood neighborhood about 9:25 p.m. Thursday, according to a community alert issued by detectives for the Lincoln and Town Hall districts.
In each attack, the robber has gotten a taxi ride, then robbed the cabbie at knifepoint when the cab has reached its destination, according to the alert.
The original alert gave two different descriptions of the robber, making it appear there might be two robbers. But an updated alert issued with the photos Tuesday said detectives had obtained photos "of the wanted offender."
In the April 19 robbery, the robber was described as a black man, 18 to 25 years old, about 6 feet tall, and weighing about 140 pounds. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants and carrying a brown handbag or satchel, which is visible in one of the photos.
In the Thursday robbery, the robber was described as a black man, 18 to 20 years old, wearing a black baseball cap and Chicago Bulls jacket.
Detectives reminded cabbies that their taxis should be outfitted with a video surveillance system and, if they are robbed, to remember anything unique about the robber, such as scars or tattoos.
Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at 312-744-8263.
