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Robbers Are Snatching Cell Phones Out Of People's Hands On The Near North Side, Police Warn

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Aug 24, 2017 10:10PM

2017_magmile.jpg
600 block of North Michigan Avenue via Google.

Police are warning Near North Side residents and visitors about a rash of nearly 20 cell phone robberies in the area this month.

In each incident in the 18th police district, which encompasses the Near North Side, including parts of the Magnificent Mile and River North, robbers approached people on the street from behind, grabbed their cell phones, then fled on foot or by bicycle or car. I four of the incidents, the robber fled in a white Cadillac, according to a police alert.

The cell phone thefts took place at the following locations and times around the neighborhood:

•0-100 block of East Hubbard St., Sunday, August 6, 2017 in the morning.
•300 block of East Illinois St., Sunday, August 6, 2017 in the evening.
•300 block of East Illinois St., Sunday, August 6, 2017 in the afternoon.
•600 block on North Michigan Ave., Monday, August 7, 2017 in the afternoon.
•900 block of North Wells St., Wednesday, August 9, 2017 in the afternoon.
•400 block of North Orleans St., Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the morning.
•200 block of East Ohio St., Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the afternoon.
•100 block of East Grand Ave., Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the afternoon.
•200 block of East Delaware Pl., Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the afternoon.
•200 block of West Kinzie St., Friday, August 11, 2017 in the afternoon.
•200 block of East Delaware Pl., Friday, August 11, 2017 in the afternoon.
•600 block of North Lake Shore Dr., Friday, August 11, 2017 in the afternoon.
•0-100 block of East Chicago Ave., Saturday, August 12, 2017 in the morning.
•500 block of North State St., Monday, August 14, 2017 in the afternoon.
•200 block of East Illinois St., Monday, August 14, 2017 in the afternoon.
•400 block of North Clark St., Friday, August 18, 2017 in the morning.
•0-100 block of West Schiller St., Monday, August 21, 2017 in the morning.

The robbers were described as two young African-American men. One was 15 to 20 years old, 130 to 150 lbs. and just under 6'0" tall, with a dreadlocks hairstyle; the other was 18 to 24 years old.