Police issue alert of robberies involving dating apps, social media

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police are searching for suspects who used dating apps and social media to find their victims before robbing them.

Investigators say two to three men would use those sites to find the victims. The crimes happened in North Lawndale in March and April.

Police gave the following dates and times for the incidents:

• 1800 block of South Springfield on March 6, 2023, at 10:00 pm
• 1800 block of South Springfield on March 6, 2023, at 11:30 pm
• 1800 block of South Springfield on March 8, 2023, at 11:47 pm
• 1900 block of South Springfield on March 17, 2023, at 1:50 am
• 1800 block of South Springfield on March 31, 2023, at 12:05 pm
• 1800 block of South Springfield on April 2, 2023, at 9:30 pm
• 1800 block of South Springfield on April 11, 2023, at 11:00 pm
• 1800 block of South Springfield on April 22, 2023, at 11:00 pm
• 1800 block of South Spaulding on April 28, 2023, at 12:20 pm

Police say in some instances the suspects were armed and used duct tape to tie up the victims. They would then demand their banking and credit card information and went to an atm to get cash.

The victims all had minor injuries.

In:
• North Lawndale
• Armed Robbery
• Robbery