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Read the press release here.

Police Warn of Armed Robbers, Cellphone Snatchers on Southwest Side

By Emily Morris | December 12, 2012 3:54pm
 Police issued separate alerts of armed robberies and cell phone thefts in Chicago Lawn. (File photo). 
Police issued separate alerts of armed robberies and cell phone thefts in Chicago Lawn. (File photo). 
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DNAInfo/Michael Shin

CHICAGO — A day after police issued an alert of armed robberies in Chicago Lawn, officers Wednesday warned the community about a series of cell phone thefts targeting commuters.

From late November into this month, either a lone robber or group of men has been preying on residents as they ride the bus or wait at bus stops, police said.

In five robberies occuring in the 6900 and 6800 blocks of South Western Avenues, one to three men have approached victims, grabbed cell phones and ran away. The first reported incident happened on Nov. 28 about 11:25 a.m., and the latest was on Dec. 9 about 8:04 p.m, according to a police alert.

The suspects are described as one to three black men from 13 to 21 years old, between 5 feet and 6 feet tall, and weighing 120 to 180 pounds, police said.

On Tuesday, police issued a separate alert after Chicago Lawn residents were robbed at knifepoint three times in December, cops said. The incidents occurred in the 4200 block of West 51st Street, the 5000 block of South Keeler Avenue and the 4900 block of South Kedvale Avenue, police said.

Masked men carrying handguns also robbed Chicago Lawn businesses in the 2800 block and 2900 block of West 59th Street, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (312) 747-8380.