Nov. 17--Detectives are warning Logan Square-area residents about teenage boys or men who have committed several strong-arm robberies against women walking alone in recent weeks.
In attacks starting Nov. 1, robbers have targeted women walking alone both in the afternoon and evening in the Shakespeare District, according to an alert from Area North detectives. Women have been approached by one or two attackers, who have knocked the women down from behind and taken their property, according to police.
In one robbery, the attackers asked to use the woman's cellphone before stealing it from her, police said.
The most recent robbery happened in the 3400 block of West Diversey Avenue at 9:45 p.m. Thursday. The other attacks took place in the 3300 block of West Belmont Avenue on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. on the sidewalk in the Shakespeare District, and in the 3000 block of North Gresham Avenue at 1 p.m. on the sidewalk, according to police.
One robber was described as a black man, age 20 to 25, about 6-foot-1 and weighing about 155 pounds, with long black dreadlocks. He was last seen wearing all-black clothing. Another robber was described as a black man, age 20 to 25, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and weighing about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red puffy vest with a long gray-sleeved shirt underneath.
In the Diversey robbery, the attackers were described as black, ages 15 to 19, each weighing about 150 pounds. One was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other was wearing a black-and-red hooded sweatshirt.
Anyone with information on the robbers is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
