Chicago police are warning about a string of armed robberies where people were forced to give up their cellphones and transfer money from their bank accounts, and in some cases, victims were even kidnapped.
The incidents happened in Chicago’s Streeterville, River North, and Lakeview neighborhoods between April 5 to May 17.
Many of the robberies occurred late at night and near popular nightlife areas, including Clark Street in Wrigleyville.
Police believe a group of up to four men may be responsible for crime spere that has spanned several weeks.
“I mean, this is insane,” said Lindsay Slay, who works on Clark Street. “This is supposed to be a safe area.”
Slay said she recently moved to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana. She started her new job two months ago and is settling into the Lakeview neighborhood.
The armed robberies have forced Slay to be extra careful and vigilant in her new neighborhood, she said.
“You can’t trust anyone,” she said. “I mean you have to always watch your back.”
Since early April, police have been investigating at least 15 armed robberies across the three northside neighborhoods, including the following:
- • 100 block of W. Ontario on April 5, 2026 at 12:35 a.m. (River North)
- • 200 block of E. Ohio on April 18, 2026 between 3:30-3:45 a.m. (Streeterville)
- • 3500 block of N. Clark on April 22, 2026 at 12:22 a.m. (Lake View)
- • 3700 block of N. Broadway on April 23, 2026 at 9:30 p.m. (Lake View)
- • 600 block of N. Dearborn on April 26, 2026 at 2:30 a.m. (River North)
- • 0-100 block of W. Hubbard on April 26, 2026 at 2:30 a.m. (River North)
- • 3500 block of N. Clark on May 2, 2026 at 11:30 p.m. (Lake View)
- • 3500 block of N. Clark on May 3, 2026 at 1 a.m. (Lake View)
- • 600 block of N. Wabash on May 3, 2026 at 3 a.m. (Lake View)
- • 3500 block of N. Clark on May 4, 2026 at 10 p.m. (Lake View)
- • 400 block of N. Clark on May 8, 2026 at 1 a.m. (River North)
- • 0-100 block of W. Hubbard on May 10, 2026 between 1 a.m. – 3 a.m. (River North)
- • 3600 block of N. Clark on May 17, 2026 at 2 a.m. (Lake View)
- • 600 block of N. La Salle on May 17, 2026 at 4 a.m. (River North)
- • 0-100 block of E. Ohio on May 17, 2026 between 4:40 a.m. – 4:52 a.m. (River North)
The victims told police they had their phones stolen late at night or in the early morning hours.
“I guess from up here it does make a little more sense with the bars and everything and nightlife in the area,” said Isabel Bronwlee, a Lakeview East resident.
Police said the thieves even used the victims’ phones to access their bank accounts to steal their money. In five of the robberies, police said the victims were forced into the suspect’s vehicle and driven around while the thieves made those fraudulent transactions and transfers.
“I definitely am more cautious and being aware of who’s around me when I’m out and about,” said Brownlee. “But for the most part it is still, I’d like to think that the city is still really safe and everything especially the neighborhood that I’m in.”
As of Friday, police have only released a vague description of the suspects. Vehicles used are described as a dark-colored SUV or sedan, including a black BMW SUV.
