Robbers Use Bike As Weapon In Lakefront Trail Attack
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A cyclist was injured in an armed robbery on the Lakefront Trail on Thursday near Belmont Harbor; but the apparent weapon of choice was bizarre, if also common in the area.
A 23-year old flew off his bike near 3500 North Lake Shore Drive after a group of men interfered with his ride Thursday afternoon by placing another bike into his path, according to police.
"That just sounds like malicious intent; just trying to hurt people on the bike path," cyclist Ian Waller said.
The victim in the attack crash-landed, fracturing his elbow.
"Sounds like a couple of guys having a misconstrued conception of having fun, and they don't realize how bad that is. That's a weird thing to do," cyclist Rob Lawrence said.
One offender allegedly took off with the victim's bike, but dropped it after the victim jumped at his attackers.
Lakeshore Bike owner Damian March didn't see the scuffle, but he said he's witnessed other incidents from his popular bike shop along the Lakefront Trail in Lakeview.
"I've been broken into twice now in the last three years. I don't know what's going on in this neighborhood anymore," he said.
Thursday's attack also worried runners who use the area for marathon prep.
"When we hear of any incident on the path, what we like to do is use our network to notify people that an incident occurred," Chicago Area Runners Association executive director Ed Zylka said. "We haven't heard of anything like this happening before; here or anywhere else."
Zylka suggested running or biking in pairs, and not using earbuds; tips he's had to give a lot more given the incidents happening on the bike path.
