8 people robbed within minutes in Lincoln Park, on DePaul University campus
CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago police are investigating a rash of robberies overnight in Lincoln Park where eight people were robbed in under 15 minutes.
CBS 2's Sara Machi was looking into the police reports that show these might be connected.
It was a busy Fourth of July at Oz Park, but overnight the block was the scene of the first of four robberies. Each time, the suspects used a similar getaway car and method.
In one case, a woman fell and was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital and listed in good condition.
The second robbery, at West Fullerton, prompted a security alert from DePaul University. The school said a student was walking near the School of Music when two men pulled up in a white SUV demanding their stuff.
The student said it looked like the offender had a weapon, but the suspect didn't show one before jumping back in the car.
It's almost the exact story told by the other victims who were robbed blocks away on North Geneva and West Belden. Some of those victims, however, reported a silver SUV was used.
CBS 2 talked to one resident who said she is keeping an eye on these stories and her family is changing their habits to make sure they stay safe.
"When we are walking around, we're not distracted by our phones. We're not wearing AirPods. We're not idling in the car, doing those kinds of things," said resident Julie Eshkenazi.
Eshkenazi added her eyes "are always scanning to see what is happening around us that might be dangerous."
And she admitted the conversation has come up with her family about perhaps leaving the neighborhood.
"What do we do? Are we gonna move so that we don't have that, that weight on your chest?" she said.
CBS 2 reached out to police about the crimes though they could not confirm a connection between them. We also asked the local alderman's office for information about any plans they had for better safety.