Small businesses are wary after a string of robberies this month that took place in the area bordered by 47th and 55th streets and Drexel and Dorchester. "I look up. Next thing I know, I have a gun in my face. I just went numb," Art Chotipradit, a clerk at Windy's Deli, 1013 E. 53rd St., told the Chicago Sun-Times. Chotipradit, 39, said that he gave the gunman $200 to $300 from the cash register before the man and another assailant left his shop. more ›

Two men posing as police officers have robbed several people in six different incidents in the Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side, police said via the Chicago Sun-Times. Victims were approached by the men who claimed to be police officers and then took the victims' money between 8 p.m. and midnight from December 18 through last Friday. more ›

• Another teen was charged today in a string of armed robberies at South Side Metra stations.
• Investigators are taking another go-around at tips and evidence from the Lane Bryant shootings hoping to get a break in the case.
• WBEZ has an excellent story on Hands of Peace, a program in Glenview that brings together Israeli and Palestinian teens with local teens.

A man arrested in connection with a string of Lincoln Park robberies has been released without charges being filed against him. The man, who was arrested earlier this week, had been picked up after a member of the public reported seeing a man resembling a police sketch of one of the suspects. While police said one victim had positively identified the man in a lineup, a Cook County assistant state's attorney cited a lack of evidence as why the man was not charged. Yesterday, Chicago Police superintendent Jody Weis said, "Hopefully, that will lead us somewhere. I am encouraged we have someone that is of interest, and he is speaking with us." [Sun-Times, Tribune] more ›

Police are trying to determine if an overnight robbery in Lincoln Park is connected to the string of robberies in the last week (seven at last count). A roving gang of thugs is strong-arming people into handing over their cash and phones and last night's robbery seems to fit the style of previous incidents. More details over at Chicago Breaking News. No word yet if the media plans to adjust coverage to include the dozens of other robberies that happen every day in other neighborhoods. more ›

Residents in Lincoln Park are on alert after a recent spate of late night robbery/beatings. Two attacks happened early morning Thursday and two more early morning Saturday. In all instances, the victims were approached by a group of at least four attackers who robbed and then beat the victim; two of the four victims had to be hospitalized for their injuries. Authorities say all four attacks are connected. [Trib, CBS 2] more ›

With bank robberies a pretty common occurrence these days, the FBI has decided to launch a new campaign seeking public help on the numerous bandits wandering around. The new Bandit Tracker website serves as sort of a clearing house for information on recent robberies and wanted bandits including location, descriptions, and - in most cases - photos of the bandits as well. the site also boasts a map feature that helps in looking for patterns. The FBI, CPD, and Cook County Sheriff's office worked with Dallas-based Electronic Tracking Systems (ETS) on the website. [via our pal Jeff Coen] more ›