SAFETY ALERT - Muggings
This information was shared by the police officers on the scene of the most recent mugging. We were asked to share this alert with neighbors.
An unfortunate incident occurred just outside the gate (1642-1714 S Indiana) at 5 pm on July 9. A young woman who was on her way to visit a friend living at the address listed above was knocked to the ground by two people and her bag was stolen. They ran to the end of the block, got in a white car and escaped. Other than being emotionally shaken, she is alight.According to the police, this is the 4th or 5th such incident in the neighborhood in the last few days. Most of the attacks have occurred on Indiana between 14th and 18th. One occurred in the alley, and one on Prairie. They have targeted men and women walking alone carrying a bag or briefcase. One victim was riding a bicycle. Each time there have been two attackers, some reported two men, some report a man and a woman.
There has been some degree of "planning" - that is, the victims were being targeted a block or two away as they walked down the street. It is believed there are three individuals working together...one driving the car and two that are attacking/stealing. All three have been identified as African Americans - all in their 20s. One of the attackers is thought to be either a woman or a man with dreadlocks (causing some confusion as to whether the attackers are two men or a man and a woman). The third individual (the driver) has been double parked about 1/2 block up from where the victim was attacked. Two cars have been reported as being used. A black Sedan (potentially a Saturn) and a white car (potentially a Honda).Please be alert as you walk and ride your bikes. The police have asked that any suspicious behavior be reported.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Community Safety Alert - Muggings Reported
Thank you for everyone who has sent us various emails and comments about the recent string of muggings in the neighborhood. If you're not aware, please be extra mindful and report anything suspicious. There was a story on the news last night about something at 16th and Michigan.
For more details please read yesterday's release from the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance:
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65 comments:
I am highly offended by this racist post!
You're upset that the Saturn was described as Black and the Honda as White?
Can't really see how else I'd tell them apart from a red or green one.
Wow. The previous poster must really want attention. Just stop it. I know your whole point is to get people ranting. So here is your attention. Hopefully everyone else ignores you and our neighborhood can be diligent to find and prosecute these idiots.
North Dakota has low crime, a budget surplus, and a 3% unemployment rate. Here's a clue: it's not because of the weather.
not sure why you are offended by someone reporting the facts. If there attacks in the area, you need to know who to watch out for.
So highly offended that you wouldn't leave your name. Prairie district has been a target lately, I was walking my dog around 2 am and saw a couple of black men driving around in a UHAUL branded white Ford Cargo Van. They stared me down as they passed by me. Later on I happened to walk past Prairie and 18th and saw the van pulled up next to 2 SUV's on the West Side of Prairie. They driver saw me and said something to the other guy who soon jumped in the Van and took off. I mentioned to Policeman on a bike who said there were a bunch of catalytic converters being stolen off that street. Funny how crime wave happened 3 blocks from Police Station. I guess Daley moving out of the neighborhood has given cops green light to relax.
You are offended because they are releasing details of the attackers?? I don't care what race, age, sex, etc. the muggers are, but I do appreciate having a description of what to look for in order to keep myself and family as safe as possible.
I am having a difficult time locating the racial undertones...
"North Dakota has low crime, a budget surplus, and a 3% unemployment rate. Here's a clue: it's not because of the weather."
Yeah, that's not a racial comment at all. Oddly, N.D. does have a meth problem. In fact a lot of states out that way like that do.
Stating a basic description of the attackers is not racist. Sloopin didn't write the post - he is merely passing along what the police report described. As a woman living in the neighborhood, I want to know what type of person to look for/avoid when walking down the street alone. The reality is our once quiet, safe neighborhood is being overun with criminal rift raft that we need to be more aware of!
@Anon 9:42: North Dakota has one of the lowest population densities in the US (with less than 700k people living there). A state like this will not have to face the big city problems like have in Chicago.
To the 7/12 6:05AM posting
Anonymous said...
I am highly offended by this racist post!
What's RACIST about this posting?
You really seem like an uptight person and you might want to think about seeking some help…let it be from a bottle, a pipe or a shrink, maybe all three will aid in your recovery. The facts are what they are as they so often appear and "confirmed" to be "black" men. The people need to know what they need to be aware of! It may be ugly and hard to digest but the facts don't lie. just saying...
It wasn't the post itself, but the comments, as in @11:34 AM. May that commenter please move to North Dakota, and tell us how much you like living there ..
Anon 12:02: "North Dakota has one of the lowest population densities in the US."
But it also has a high amount of "dense" students according to the "Report Card" K-12 State rankings (in the bottom 10).
That's right, I forgot that all these youths/animals/criminals mobbing bus loads of people, jumping and mugging unsuspecting citizens, and stealing cars and killing innocent bystanders are all "honors students" according to their families.
Anyone else notice the rash of robbings lateley? Or see the photo that phoenix rising released from 1901 S State robbery? How about the photo of the perp breaking into 1727 S Indiana? Or 2001 S Calumet? They all have one thing in common (hint - they aren't from north dakota) - this is not racist comment - it's saying don't let strangers in your building and to call police when you see seedy individuals strolling the neighborhood
I could care less if these freaks are black, white or mexican....
But the crime rate on these such crimes has increased all over the city with alot being in the south/west loop and downtown/goldcoast. Lincoln Park has always had its fair share but with that many people in one condensed area things are bound to happen.
Brendan - I usually don't agree with your comments, but you are correct with this one. I dont give a fk about who you are. I AM BEGGING YOU TO CALL THE POLICE AND REPORT ANYTHING you think is out of the ordinary. You all know, all races live in the South Loop, but u should be able to tell the difference bw who most likely lives in the area and who does not. LET THE POLICE DECIDE when they confront them. Until something like this happens to you or someone you know - you will see how hard it is to sleep for awhile. Anyone who has been attacked, please be aware that all of us wish this did not happen to you and we need to start really pointing people out. I called the police on a guy that I never saw in the neighborhood who dropped a potato chip bag (he was 2 feet away from a garbage can) - guess what, police came talked to him and put him in the car. I haven't not seen him since.
Fairly certain the first post was sarcasm...
Where is the accountability on the South & West sides for the violence and crime?
Add to the rash of robberies: break-in at 2035 S. Indiana (my building)...pics and video released by Phoenix Rising from security camera. Scary stuff.
Anon 9:24 with the color of the cars comment was hilarious.
Sorry, no one else noticed. This is a heated topic though.
So we should avoid all individuals that fit the description of the perps? Huh! Like cross to the other side of the street if they approach us on one side? That should ease the racial tension nicely.
"How about the photo of the perp breaking into 1727 S Indiana?"
What photo? Near 100% certainty this is false and more troll bait.
As an elderly African American, this entire situation saddens me deeply. I moved to the south loop from my former neighborhood (West Lawndale) 5 years ago because of the violence. I lived in Lawndale for over 25 years. I hate to say this, but this is exactly the way that my former neighborhood started to go downhill (break-ins, armed robberies, muggings). Soon, it snowballed out of control and became completely unbearable. Over the past two years, I am starting to see the same pattern in this neighborhood: low income renters increasing in numbers, more and more thugs on the street at all hours, boarded up commercial outlets, etc.
It is a very scary and real issue and should not be taken lightly by the residents of this neighborhood. Trust me, it will get very bad very quickly if not addressed.
Alright lets not go all doom and gloom. The concern of low income renters is real! I have the same situation in my building, where I am an owner, lots of transient renters.
Lawndale is much different than the South Loop. The city has more vested into this being a successful neighborhood.
When I moved here 4 years ago. I could not walk down the street without being begged for money or asked for help with a "broken down car." That has all stopped. Businesses are moving in and units are selling.
We have to get ride of the projects on Michigan and Cullerton.
Growing Pains!
There is a photo of the person suspected in the condo break in at 2035 S Indiana- not sure how to post on here but you can contact the management company- Phoenix Rising and request to see the email they sent out to all the buildings they manage residents. Since they manage at least 4 buildings that I know of in the immediate area, I am sure many many residents received it.
I was walking down Polk last night around 9pm, and this beat up car with tinted windows pulled up on Plymouth, near Bar Louie. 2 in their 20's jumped out of the car with a basket ball, and decided to just start throwing the ball back an forth across Polk, disrupting traffic, while a 3rd sat in the drivers side with the motor running. There was no reason for them to stop and do that unless they were looking for some kind of trouble. And it made me uneasy. As I was about to call the cops, one walked about of Bar Louie (of course), and the they took off.
I don't doubt there is a photo of the perp at 2035 S Indiana, but the other addresses listed (1901 S State, 1727 S Indiana) have had, as far as I know, no criminal activity. Certainly no pictures. Let's have less fear mongering people. Sure, there is anecdotal evidence of an uptick but, from our nightly walks around the neighborhood (stroller and dog in tow), there is very little in the way of a criminal element hanging around. Like the good CTA voice tell us, if you see something, say something. Otherwise, stay visible in the neighborhood, that is the way to make it safest for all.
Those aren't "housing projects" ... they're privately owned. I'm sure they do take Section 8 vouchers. I lived a block or so away from there for several years, and there were never any problems associated with those buildings. God forbid there should be affordable housing in the area.
Let's not forget about the shooting last year on the corner of Michigan and Cullerton. Those buildings along cullteron, even though they are privately owned are basically "projects" that breed violence. I hear many stories of what goes on in there, I just feel bad for the respectable tenants there who have to live with it.
How about the muggings inside the harrison red line?
has that eased up at all? as a single woman, i'm scared to go down there.
-E
To anon at 5:49pm. There is an actual huge problem, no 'fear mongering' needed. There were 2 break ins at 1727 s Indiana ave in the past month. I live in the building and a unit was crow bared open in the middle of the day. The following weekend a young African American teenage boy (camera footage available) broke into the commercial unit in the basement of the building at 4am triggering an alarm. Police missed him by minutes. I'm glad everyone in the community is starting to openly discuss the crimes so we can try to stop these thugs from taking over our lovely neighborhood. If you see someone who looks out of place, call the police! Hopefully they will get the message that the south loop isn't going to let this take over our neighborhood.
I think money allocated to the TMA, whose job in the south loop seems only to be to confuse both commuters and pedestrians (we already have traffic lights!), while collecting taxpayer money (welfare, IMO), should be reallocated to provide more police protection, to prevent these thugs from feeling like they can get away with their crimes against the good people of the South Loop. Also, get some pepper spray, a stun gun, a taser, or firearm, whatever, and teach someone a lesson if they ever try to violate your rights.
At anon 5:46 Did you called the cops? You see people piss me off you see something like that why not register license plates and call the police? You people never want to get involve and than run on a blog and complain anonymously, this is the same people who would see me get beat up on the side street an not even help.
The difference between people like me and most of you I don't get terrified of little punks I go out with a wish factor and actually hope one would attack me I bet with you this little punk would never try another attack ever again after testing me I can promise you that. Now with that said I am not saying you should go and fight them but at least grab your stupid cell and call the police that's a minimum you could do.
Unfortunatly my gf can't protect herself in that same manner. I pay 10,000 dollars in prop taxes per year....I demand better results than this as far as police protection is concerned. I also have a house to sell at some point in time and don't need this ever growing black eye burdening our hood. We are all for new resturants, brewreys, residential projects but to me Fioretti's #1 concern right now should be cleaning up these streets.
I realise we all live in a large city and crime is to be expected...but it seems to be on an incline and I don't favor the trend at which it is progressing. We need to take action ( and no, concealed weapons won't help). More neighborhood watches should be priority # 1....also flood the district 1 headquarters with phone calls as well as 911 with ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. The south loopers like us are just as important as the CPD when it comes to matters like this.
It is sad what these people do to a community. Although I have lived in the city since college (13 years), I grew up in south holland, and my parents still lived there up until 2 years ago. I'll tell you this: in a matter of 5 years, my hometown became unrecognizable. A middle-class suburban neighborhood turned into the ghetto overnight. And it all started with a disproportionate amount of welfare-aided renters that just bombarded the entire area.
Then came the loitering, then came the break-ins, then came the strong-arm muggings, and soon the drug trafficing and followed . . . and haven't stopped.
My parents finally had to move from the home they lived in for 45 years when my mother was mugged while walking to her mailbox on a saturday morning. It makes me ill just thinking about it.
No, I did not call the cops that night, because a cop walked out of Bar Louie towards the guys in question (as I wrote). But I call every other time. Also, as a pregnant woman I didn't really feel comfortable standing in the dark in front of the car trying to take down a license plate number. Just trying to be smart and protect myself.
I suggest we all reach out to Alderman Fioretti! I've already sent two emails- let's make sure he hears our concerns and does something about it!
We receive these crime notices on the Beat 133
South Loop Neighborhood Watch, which is good.
Anyone can send a tip (anon) through their Google Group set-up, which immediately blasts the notices out to the resident distribution list. I would encourage anyone to sign-up for the notices at:
http://groups.google.com/group/south-loop-neighborhood-watch
or by emailing southloopneighborhoodwatch@gmail.com
@ anon 10:34am I think you did the right thing being that you are a pregnant women, I did not mean to be harsh at you but some men in general who just refuses to get involved and by the way calling 911 is getting involved. As a father I refuse to allow these punks to take over my neighborhood.
anon@12:52.
I'm with you. I love my neighborhood. And it pisses me off when people who have no business there start hanging out. I don't mind our 3 regular homeless in front of 7-11 & Starbucks. They are nice, and feel like neighbors. I called the cops one time when I saw one of them being harassed by someone I didn't recognize! We had a new guy by 7-11 hanging out, who when he asked for money, and I said "sorry not today", he called me a bitch. It took all I had not to scream "Get the hell off my block! You don't pay property taxes here!". Those might have been the hormones though :) Bottom line, we all want to live somewhere safe.
At 1600 S Prairie a Ducati was pilfered
Memo said an "unauthorized vehicle entered"
Nary a mention of the heist
Great memo from one dimwit
Crime, corruption, and cover-up has transpired.
Sloopy, I'm sorry race entered the conversation here. Its obviously a raw subject for a lot of Chicagoans, and it seems like not many can just have a straight conversation about it.
I'm a former OEMC dispatcher and trainer and slooper, now living out of state. I can give a little bit of constructive advice for all here that is the same I gave to my community and in community meetins elsewhere when I lived in the Sloop. Call 911 for anything and anybody you find truly suspicious. You as residents are in the best position of anybody to know when something is suspicious and should be eyeballed by the police. Be sure when you call to say that what and/or who you are looking at is suspicious, and if pressed just give an honest assessment that minimally includes that what you are seeing is "out of place". That is all.
These are THE best calls that the police can receive, and its way better than getting an in-progress or just-occurred call.
Just to be clear, use your discretion and make sure its something you think warrants a police officer taking a look. It does not mean somebody will be questioned, searched, arrested or anything else. A suspicious person call is, however, a high (towards the top) priority call (not lights and sirens though), and the police will normally respond quickly to take a look at whoever you are calling about.
Sorry for the length of this note, but I really am just trying to be helpful to my old neighborhood and neighbors (of all races).
Josh
Race is not the focal point of the discussion, however, people would be silly not to look at correlations in order to protect themselves. It's not racist, it's a rational reaction.
Ignoring correlations over fear of the race card is the same asinine policy that has the TSA feeling up Grannys' and six year olds' junk.
Sorry, but when all of the perps are of one race (black - per police reports) and all of the victims are of another race (white - per the news coverage), then race has a place in this discussion. Trust me, if it were the other way around, Jesse and his boys would be picketing and all over the talk show circuit decrying civil rights violations.
Just bought a place in the South Loop. This doesn't sound like a great way to start off. Does this have anything to do with events at the park or soldier field. In my last city, after any event downtown crime jumped in areas just outside event police patrol areas.
@anon 6:04 and you think innocent hard working black folks are not victims as well of those thugs?
Not all of us decide to steal for a living and like you we don't like these bad kids either and to be honest I am ashamed of them.
If you guys really want to look for bad kids we all know what they look like (tattoos, dreads sagging pants) trust me respectful black people don't look like that.
Thanks for posting about the South Loop Neighborhood Watch Google Group- I wasn't aware of that and it has been really informative already! This site has link to the ABC 7 news video story about the muggings.
http://www.chicagonewsreport.com/
I agree, we all need to be more aware of our surroundings and call if you see someone/something odd. There's a crazy man that was standing on the corner of Michigan/Wabash all morning- making lewd remarks and hand gestures. I saw him on Sunday sitting at the 16th/Michigan bus stop so today I called the police and the dispatcher was from the South Loop! She was happy to send someone out right away.
Well now the same can be said for good hard working people that take a healthy interest in tattoos/body art..... but now you have pretty much written them all off as criminals just because they prefer a more radical exterior. Tu Che
Another one! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-3-questioned-in-south-loop-strongarm-robberies-20110714,0,350047.story
At least police are questioning suspects.
Where are all the folks who always respond with "if you don't like it, move to the suburbs" to all the concerned citizens voicing disgust over these recent events?
"Where are all the folks who always respond with "if you don't like it, move to the suburbs" to all the concerned citizens voicing disgust over these recent events? "
This isn't nimby bullshit, but actual violent crime. No one supports that.
As opposed to the loitering, gang-tagging, assault, section 8 renters, etc. that all lead to the violent crimes?
Wake up! There is a direct link to the uptick in all the "nimby stuff" and these strong-arm muggings. It is the natural progression. And just in case you haven't been paying attention lately, is just how many many many other neighborhoods went downhill. Fast.
Wasn't such a smart idea to blow off all the "nimby" stuff.
My catalytic converter was just stolen from prarie and 18th St. Cops said they hadn't heard of any converters being stolen recently, but someone on this post mentioned theives in the area three days ago. WTF CPD! please patrol my neighborhood.
Do you own an SUV? I hear that they are prime target since they seat high above ground. Also 18th and prairie is the worst they are always stealing there.
I had 3 friends whom had cars broke into around 18th between Indiana and calumet recently I saw a Honda on 4blocks there I think the same guy is doing it.
Can we please get a description of "the guy doing it"?
Saying itt was one guy is just an assumption because it's all in the same area.I bet with you you add couple cameras in that corner from the condos and this would stop.
Here's an even better idea than littering our area with more eyesore blue light CPD cameras (which, sadly, we all know are coming - it's only a matter of time): how about some parenting and accountability in the communities just west and south of the sloop?
I know that "parenting" is a foreign concept in some circles.
I was not refereeing to blue light camera crap. I think adding some night vision wireless camera's on each block would do the job catching them in the act. By the way these type of camera's are not so expensive. If I lived in the corner I would add one.
As far as parenting I agree with you but it's obviously not happening. Are you blaming those people for that? How do you know it's not someone from some other place doing this? I once lived in an area with the same issue and they finally caught the thief and guess what it was a white guy from the Suburb doing this for his car shop.
http://www.staples.com/Defender-PX301-013-Digital-Wireless-DVR-Security-System-with-Receiver-and-2/product_906255?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Shopping-_-Technology%3ESecurity_Cameras-_-906255-PX301-013&cid=CSE:GoogleBase:Technology:Security_Cameras:906255:PX301-013
Right. Because the reports from the scene of all the "flash mobs," and sloop muggings, and CTA bus mass robberies, all point to "some white guy from the suburbs.". Keep telling yourself that. Attitude like that is why things in this city will NEV-VER change. All finger pointing and zero people stepping up and accepting any accountability.
Anonymous 3:10 according to you conclusion every person of color is a criminal right? The muggings all over downtown are black males between 16-20 I agree no denying that but how do you know who is stealing from the cars? The stuff happening mostly regarding catalytic converters is definitely a knowledgeable thief possibly someone who understand mechanics. You tHink these stupid kids have that knowledge I doubt it they are lazy thief and that's why they don't even pick pocket and prefer mugging.
I will bet my life savings with you the thief is someone whom has knowledge of cars.
Every thief is stupid in some ways and most eventually get caught we will see.
According to city, the "honor roll student" from Englewood charged yesterday with murdering a chicago cop has family living at 20th and Michigan. BEWARE NEIGHBORS. If these animals have no reservations about murdering a cop . . .
Who called him an "honor roll student"? Also, the news reports I read said that Antwon Carter, the man charged in the killing of cop Michael Bailey is from Lockport, not Englewood.
Also, none of the news reports I saw mentioned anything about his having family at 20th and Michigan, I'm curious where this is coming from ... although what is the point? I have a relative who went to prison to various offenses ... should we issue an alarm about that?
@ Anon 11:03.
Don't forget that "he wasn't in no gangs."
Boy, the Northside must be going to hell as well if we believe Anon's post that one bad seed spells trouble for the neighborhood. Did you see that guy that caused that lady to take a tumble down the eL stairs and die after stealing her iPhone lived at the 300 block of West Hill Street. Oh no! Where will we ever live now and be safe?!
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