Eight robberies with a handgun — seven in less than an hour — ripped through the McKinley Park neighborhood and nearby communities in the early morning of Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The spree started around 4:50 a.m. in the 3000 block of South Archer Avenue, police said in a community alert and at the July 10, 2024, Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting for Beat 912.
Beginning at 5:10 a.m., six more robberies took place in under an hour, police said, including:
- In the 3800 block of South Francisco Avenue at 5:10 a.m.
- In the 1700 block of West 47th Street at 5:22 a.m.
- In the 4600 block of South Wood Street at 5:38 a.m.
- In the 2400 block of West Pershing Road at 5:34 a.m.
- In the 5800 block of South Oakley Avenue at 5:37 a.m.
- In the 2300 block of West Cermak Road at 5:48 a.m.
In addition, Chicago Police Department crime reports note an an armed robbery with an handgun in the 3500 block of South Western Avenue at 5:40 a.m. on that day.
No Arrests
By the time of publication of this article, police had not responded to inquiries about whether the robbery on South Western Avenue was part of the spree and why it wasn’t included in the community alert.
No suspects had been arrested in any of the incidents, police said at the Beat 912 meeting.
Stolen Silver Hyundai
In the community alert, police described each robbery as involving three offenders wearing all-black clothing and ski masks, driving a stolen, silver-colored 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The robbers would drive up, exit the vehicle and approach victims, brandishing handguns and demanding property.
One victim was pistol-whipped during the course of the robbery, police said. In each incident, the perpetrators returned to the vehicle and fled.
Your Life Over All
Police described the suspects as African-American men; between 20 and 27 years old; and between 5 feet, 8 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches tall.
Police said that any robbery victims should never resist a robbery: “Value your life over any an all property.” Victims should try to remember any unique physical characteristics of a robber — such as scars, a limp, acne or distinctive teeth — and get contact information from any witnesses who approach.
Call With Info
Victims should never pursue a fleeing offender and should call 911 to report a robbery immediately after it occurs, police said. Victims should not touch anything at the crime scene until police arrive.
Police said that anyone with information on the robberies should contact Area One detectives by calling (312) 747-8384.
Spring Crime Statistics
At the July Beat 912 meeting, Chicago Police Department Community Policing Officer Christopher Gonzales shared crime statistics for Beat 912 between May 8 and July 9, 2024.
During this period, police received 49 reports of shots fired, 18 reports of persons brandishing a gun, and nine reported robberies. Six burglaries took place, as well as two shootings on June 29, 2024: in the 3500 block of South Damen Avenue and the 1500 block of West 33rd Street., Gonzales said.
Drag Racing and Auto Thefts
Drag racing in McKinley Park during this period inspired 96 reports to police, who also reported 10 mental health disturbance calls in Beat 912. Ten auto thefts were part of a total of 70 reported property thefts during this time.
Police received a total of 2,776 calls for service in Beat 912 during this period, Gonzales said.
Next CAPS Meeting on September 11
Attendance at recent CAPS meetings for Beat 912 has waned from the dozens of residents regularly attending prior to the COVID-19 pandemic: The July 10, 2024, meeting attracted nine attendees, including elected representatives, but the May 8 meeting for Beat 912 had only one citizen in attendance.
The next CAPS Meeting for Beat 912 is set for 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago.
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