Armed robbers target 2 liquor stores in 20 minutes in Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — Armed robbers targeted at least two liquor stores in Chicago Tuesday night – and business owners believe the same crew might be involved in several other incidents.

One of the robberies happened at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday at Buchanas Food & Liquor, at 1834 W. 47th St. in Back of the Yards. The man that was behind the counter at the time said the robbery crew threatened his life – and sent a customer who was in the store to the hospital.

The liquor store keeps its door locked for security. The robbery crew knew that, and was seen on surveillance video following a customer inside.

One of the robbers pistol-whipped the customer over the lead, leaving him on the ground as the crew demanded cash at gunpoint. Another customer was also in the store and was pushed.

The manager was seen holding his hands up and hand everything over. The manager said the robbers threatened to to kill him if he didn't obey.

The customer was rushed to the hospital once the crew left – bleeding, but expected to recover, the manager said.

The small business was out more than $1,000.

At 10:09 p.m., El Trebol Liquors & Bar, at 1135 W. 18th St. in Pilsen, was also hit. Police said the robbers held up four customers and an employee – whom they hit in the head with a gun. Just like in the robbery caught on camera in Back of the Yards, two robbers entered while one waited at the door.

The robbers then took off in a light-colored car, police said.

Police will not confirm these robberies were connected. But business owner and managers believe the robbers in these latest cases could be the same crew behind four other robberies that happened early on Saturday, April 27.

One of those four robberies targeted a convenience store. The others targeted people individually – one of whom was leaving an ATM, and others who were either walking on the public way or siting in a vehicle.

These robberies involved three to five men and a dark vehicle. The robbers in these cases were all armed with semiautomatic handguns, police said.

These robberies happened in the Irving Park, Albany Park, and North Austin neighborhoods. The specific times and locations were:

· The 4100 block of North Kedzie Avenue, Saturday, April 27, at about 5:40 a.m.

· The 4200 block of North Bernard Street, Saturday, April 27, at about 5:50 a.m.

· The 2900 block of West Montrose Avenue, Saturday, April 27, at about 6:00 a.m.

· The 4500 block of West North Avenue on Saturday, April 27, at about 6:30 a.m.

Police issued a community alert on Monday about these robberies.

Another robbery pattern on the North and Northwest Side Tuesday evening, in which a 7-Eleven in Bucktown was targeted, is not believed to be related to these incidents.

Police late Wednesday said there had been no arrests in these recent crimes.