C-US Cleaners, 1451 S. State St., was robbed on Wednesday, May 23, by a man who tied up an employee before escaping with $500.

The employee, a 52-year-old Chicago woman, told police that a man entered the store at 7:30 p.m. May 23 with a dress shirt draped across his shoulder and initially asked how much it would cost to clean the shirt. He then locked the front door behind him and when the employee asked him why he had locked the door he told her to be quiet, took her to the rear of the store and pressed a small black knife against her cheek.

He then asked for money and took $400 from the cash register. He also took $100 from the woman’s pocket and then tied her up with a piece of duct tape. He then noticed another woman at the back of the store and told her to stay down before fleeing.

Police captured a gang of thieves they say are responsible for a string of thefts along Michigan Avenue after they stole an iPhone from an employee of a convenience store at 5:15 p.m. Monday, May 28.

Charged were a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old, both from Chicago, as well as an 18-year-old boy. Police were also looking for a fourth suspect. According to police, the four boys were asked to leave the store at 20 N. Michigan Ave., and as they left grabbed an employee’s iPhone.

Police caught three of the offenders nearby. Police said the offenders fit the description of suspects in several other thefts at stores along Michigan Avenue on May 28 as well as previous dates including a previous theft at a Chili’s Restaurant at 2 E. Ontario St. The three boys were charged with theft and criminal trespass.

Police arrested 14 demonstrators for violating the public peace Wednesday, May 23, when they refused to leave the street at 141 W. Jackson St. while protesting about health care issues. Police said they made the arrests at about 9:30 a.m. May 23 after the protesters stood in the street obstructing traffic and causing police to detour traffic around them. According to police the protesters, ranging in age from 37 to 86, were given clear verbal commands to disperse or risk arrest. They then formed a chain and sat in the street, refusing to leave. Of the 15 protesters, 12 were female and 14 gave Chicago addresses.

Two women assaulted another woman who told them to stop smoking on a CTA train Wednesday, May 23.

The woman told police she saw them smoking at an around 4:15 p.m. May 23 and told them to stop. Police said an argument then ensued.

As the woman got off the train at Wabash and Adams, she said, one of the women hit her in the head with a large purse, causing her to fall to the floor, where they proceeded to kick her, causing swelling and minor lacerations.

The woman was later taken by ambulance to Northwestern Hospital, where she was listed in good condition.

A woman told police she was raped on Sunday, May 20, after she was picked up by the offender at the corner of Archer Street and Wentworth Avenue and was taken to a nearby residence. The 32-year-old Chicago woman said the offender ran from the residence after the rape and she then walked to a nearby firehouse to report the rape before she was transported to Mercy Hospital.

—Compiled by Mike Ulreich

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By jojody
Posted: 05/15/2013 10:06 AM

Sad news at this early morning. Police feasibility must be implemented so as to scare criminals. - James Stuckey