Jan. 23--Police are warning residents about two robberies that occurred Wednesday evening in the Lakeview area on the North Side, one involving an off-duty Cook County sheriff's officer.
In both incidents, which happened five minutes apart, two offenders used force and the threat of force in order to take wallets, cellphones and a backpack from people who were outside on the street or in an alley, according to a Chicago police statement.
Around 11:30 p.m., a sheriff's officer exchanged gunfire with two masked men in an alley in the 1900 block of West Belmont Avenue, police said.
The suspects fled with the officer's cellphone and an unknown amount of money, police said. No injuries were reported.
The two suspects were described as black men dressed in all black, according to the statement.
Around 11:35 p.m., another robbery occurred in the 3200 block of North Clark Street.
The suspects were described as two black men between the ages of 20 and 25 who are about 6 feet tall and weigh between 170 and 180 pounds. They both have a dark complexion. They were dressed in black hooded sweatshirts, black pants and black skullcaps.
Police urge residents to be aware of their surroundings and immediately report suspicious activity.
Anyone with information about the robberies should contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
