Robbery crew undeterred by subzero temps, hit nearly a dozen victims overnight

CHICAGO - As the weather deteriorated and temperatures dropped to lows not seen since Jussie Smollett's infamous sandwich run, at least one crew was out working early this morning undeterred by the dangerous cold and hawk winds, and authorities reported they robbed nearly a dozen people in eight separate armed robberies over the course of a little more than an hour.

According to Chicago Police, an armed robbery crew was out working early this morning on the city's West Side from about 2:10 a.m. through 3:20 a.m., while subzero temperatures and high winds ripped through the upper Midwest. Local meteorologists recorded wind chills as low as -40 degrees fahrenheit at nearby O'Hare Airport during the time the crew was allegedly working.

The incidents and the victims are listed as follows:

• 2:10 a.m. in the 2300 block of W. Augusta in Ukrainian Village. A 33-year-old man was standing on the sidewalk when three males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded his property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallet, phone, and bookbag before fleeing.
• 2:20 a.m. in the 700 block of W. Grand Avenue in the Fulton River District. A 39-year-old male was standing outside on the sidewalk when two males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded his property at gunpoint. The offenders took an unknown amount of USC before fleeing.
• 2:40 a.m. in the 100 block of S. Paulina on the Near West Side. A 52-year-old male was standing on the sidewalk when two males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded his property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallet and phone before fleeing.
• 2:49 a.m. in the 500 block of N. Ashland Avenue in West Town. A 43-year-old female was standing near her vehicle when three males exited a green Jeep SUV and demanded her property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallet before fleeing.
• 3:00 a.m. in the 1600 block of W. Warren Boulevard on the Near West Side. Three male adults were walking on the sidewalk when three males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded their property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallets and phones before fleeing.
• 3:07 a.m. in the 1700 block of W. Cullerton Street on the Lower West Side. A male and a female were standing near their vehicle when three males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded their property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallets and a back pack before fleeing.
• 3:10 a.m. in the 1600 block of W. Erie Street in West Town. A 47-year-old male was walking on the sidewalk when three males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded his property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallet before fleeing.
• 3:18 a.m. in the 1500 block of W. 21st Street in Pilsen on the Lower West Side. A 50-year-old male was standing on the sidewalk when two males exited a silver Toyota SUV and demanded his property at gunpoint. The offenders took the victim’s wallet before fleeing.

None of the victims were injured in the armed robberies and there is no one in custody.

The West and Northwest Sides have seen a significant increase in armed crews targeting the area in recent months and extended 'sprees' like outlined above have become more common in the city, as detailed in various recent stories by CWBChicago here:

• Chicago men unleashed ‘an unmitigated crime spree’ of ‘robbery after robbery after robbery after robbery’, judge says
• Man, 2 juveniles charged with trying to rob concealed carry holder who opened fire on them
• At least 11 more armed robberies reported as Chicago police struggle to address out-of-control holdup sprees

One is forced to wonder how successful such a dedicated and motivated team could be in a legitimate business environment if they're willing to commit themselves to their craft in such treacherous conditions but, alas, we're unlikely to ever know. Hopefully, they'll have plenty of time to consider that question themselves during the 6 to 30 years they should expect to receive in prison upon conviction of Class X Felony Armed Robbery.

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