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'Bump-And-Run' Car Robberies Now Up To 9 In Near West Side, Bucktown: Cops

By Alisa Hauser | May 12, 2017 5:44pm | Updated on May 15, 2017 8:47am

WEST TOWN — Two and sometimes three men are purposely crashing into cars in order to steal the vehicles from unsuspecting drivers, according to police who've confirmed nine such recent robberies, as well as two unsuccessful attempts.

The scheme works this way, according to Chicago police: One of the men rear-ends the victim's car, and when the victim gets out to inspect the damage, a second or third man gets into the victim's car and drives away with it.

The practice is known as "bumping" or "bump-and-run" in some places.

The victims include Chicago Bear Kevin White's girlfriend, who was driving his Maserati Thursday in the 400 block of North May Street when she was targeted.

On Friday, police in the Near West (12th) and Shakespeare (14th) Districts issued a news release with details on nine recent robberies, including three since Wednesday.

The incidents were reported in the:

1100 Block of South Racine Avenue on April 7 at 5:24 p.m.
400 Block of North Damen Avenue on April 10  at 7:30 p.m.
• 500 Block of North Ashland Avenue on April 23 at 3:50 p.m.
• 700 Block of West Roosevelt Road on April 24 at 9:25 a.m.
• 1000 Block of West 15th Street on April 24 at 9:45 a.m.
• 200 Block of North Ada Street on April 24 at 4:19 p.m.
• 500 Block of South Wood Street on Wednesday at 5:35 p.m.
• 400 Block of North May Street on Thursday at 6:38 p.m.
• 2200 Block of North Ashland on Thursday at 10:07 p.m.

The attempts — in which cars were hit but the men did not able to steal the cars — were at 9 a.m. April 24 at Halsted and Roosevelt Road and in the 100 block of South Racine at 4:45 p.m. Monday.

The suspects are described as two to three men: a black male, 18-25 years old, between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, 140-160 pounds, with a dark complexion and possible scar on his face and a cross tattoo on his forehead.

Another man was described as having a "black dreadlocks hair style."

Police advise calling 911 and remaining on scene when possible.

Anyone with information, should contact the Bureau of Detectives – Area Central at (312) 747-8382 and reference these cases: JA-216347, JA-220173, JA-236141, JA-236906, JA-236884, JA-237398, JA-258480, JA-259837, JA-260107.