WEST RIDGE — At least three cases of people being held up at gunpoint in the West Ridge neighborhood has prompted a community safety alert from Chicago Police.
In each incident, victims were approached in a public area from behind by a man with a black handgun who held his weapon to the back of their head and demanded victims hand over "everything they have," according to police.
Purses, cell phones and cash were among items taken.
So far, the robberies have occurred at:
• 6900 block of North Washtenaw Avenue on Jan. 12, 2016 at 4:05 p.m.
• 6600 block of North Washtenaw Avenue on Jan. 13, 2016 at 8:10 p.m.
• 7000 block of North Washtenaw Avenue on Jan. 16, 2016 at 8:52 a.m.
In each occurrence, the offender was described as an African-American man, but with slightly differing details. The varying descriptions include:
• Age 38, 6-feet tall, wearing a black jacket, black jeans, and yellow gym shoes.
• Aged 20-30, 5-foot-7, 200 pounds, light complexion, wearing eyeglasses, and a black jacket.
• 6-foot-1, wearing black frame eyeglasses, red knit ski cap, light gray sweatpants.
Police said if approached by an unknown offender who demands money, to keep calm and try to remember any distinct markers like missing teeth, tattoos, and scars.
Anyone with information on the crimes are asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
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