Police investigating series of robberies; arrests reporte

Although crime in Hyde Park-South Kenwood has decreased significantly during 1993 (see Neighborhood Safety & Security insert), police are investigating a series of robberies that have occurred in the neighborhood since mid-October. Arrests by police on Nov. 7 may clear up several incidents that occurred during the past week.

In response to the robberies, Bob Richards, South East Chicago Commission Law Enforcement Coordinator, urged residents not to walk alone at night. Most of the victims in the robberies have been accosted while walking alone on the street. "Use the University bus system or walk in groups," he said.

Richards noted that police have been very successful in arresting offenders when a crime has been reported immediately, and he urged residents to use the more than 130 white security phones in the area.

The Nov. 7 arrests came at about 8 p.m., after police officers assisted a woman who had been robbed in the 5100 block of Ellis Avenue while carrying groceries from her car. Within five minutes, the officers stopped a car with five teen-agers in it and discovered the proceeds from the robbery.

Police believe some or all of the teens may have been responsible for similar robberies in various parts of the community during the past week, most of which have occurred between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Victims of crimes that were committed by teen-agers with a dark-colored car should call the SECC at 324-6926, Richards said.

Police are also looking for the person or persons responsible for three other robberies, two of which were armed robberies. The first robbery occurred at 7:20 p.m. on Oct. 24. A woman was robbed at gunpoint in the vestibule of an apartment building in the 5400 block of Ellis Avenue. The second robbery was committed at 3:10 a.m. on Oct. 25 when a man was robbed on the street at knifepoint of his wallet and leather jacket by an offender who had followed him in a car from the 1100 block of 55th Street. In the third incident, which occurred shortly before noon on Nov. 1, the offender approached a woman pushing a baby buggy. The offender asked the time, then struck the woman with his fist and fled with her purse.

Anyone who has information on these robberies should call the SECC at 324-6926.