Jan. 03--Police are alerting residents and delivery drivers in the South Austin neighborhood on the West Side of a recent increase in robberies.
Four robberies occurred from Dec. 19 to Dec. 26, according to statements from the Chicago Police Department.
Two incidents, in which mail delivery drivers were targeted, happened Dec. 19 and Dec. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m., according to the statement.
The first robbery happened in the 5200 block of West Race Avenue, and the second one occurred a block north.
In both instances, UPS and FedEx delivery drivers were robbed of personal property and their vehicles at gunpoint, according to the statement.
The offenders are described to be men 20 to 27 years old. They are between 5 feet 4 inches tall and 5 feet 9 inches tall and weigh 150 to 180 pounds, according to the statement.
The two other robberies, which involved a black SUV, happened within about two blocks of each other on Christmas Day and Dec. 26 from 9 to 11 p.m., according to police.
The first incident occurred in the 4900 block of West Madison Street, and the second happened in the 5000 block of West Adams Street, according to the statement.
In both instances, armed offenders came out of a black SUV, either a Chevy Trailblazer or a GMC Envoy, and walked up to the victim and robbed them of their property, the statement said.
The offenders were two to three men who are 20 to 22 years old and are between 5 feet 9 inches tall and 5 feet 11 inches tall. They were armed with a silver handgun. In one of the robberies, a female offender was also involved.
Anyone with information on these incidents should contact detectives at 312-744-8263.
