Robbers target Chicago rideshare drivers, steal cell phones

Robbers ask rideshare drivers to use their phones, then run off

CHICAGO (CBS) — Robbers targeting Lyft and Uber drivers are on the loose in Chicago. Police say they rely on their drivers' kindness. 

The robberies happened between late August and last Thursday in Jackson Park. In each case, two males get into a rideshare. They then ask their driver to use a cell phone to make a call. Once they get the phone, both males run away with the victims' phones. 

In at least two instances, the robbers threatened the drivers with guns. 

The robberies happened nine times at different points of South Crandon Avenue from 67th to 69th streets. 

The full list of incident times and locations is below. 

  • 6700 block of South Crandon Ave. on August 30, 2024 at 12:03 a.m.
  • 6800 block of South Crandon Ave. on August 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
  • 6700 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 06, 2024, between 2:00 a.m. and 2:15 a.m.
  • 6900 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 06, 2024, between 2:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
  • 6700 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 06, 2024 at 4:00 a.m.
  • 6700 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 08, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
  • 6800 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 09, 2024 at 6:18 a.m.
  • 6700 block of South Crandon Ave. on September 11, 2024, at 12:30 a.m.

The robbers are described as two males between 12 and 20 years old, wearing hooded sweatshirts. 

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact the Area One Bureau of Detectives at (312) 747-8384.

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