2-Aug-16 – Chicago police have alerted retail stores north of the Loop about thefts in which a group of people entered stores and took “several high-end purses” from shelves before fleeing.

Four incidents were reported between June 27 and July 31, all happening in the afternoon.

The stores are on East Grand Avenue between State Street and Rush Street, and on East Oak Street between State Street and Michigan Avenue.

The thieves are described as black men and women, all 20 to 25 years old.

Florida man robbed on way to McDonald’s

A 40-year-old man visiting Chicago from Florida was robbed late at night in River North last month. The man told police he had been out drinking with his wife. He walked her back to their hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites on East Illinois Street, walked to the Subway restaurant near Illinois & State, and then walked toward McDonald’s about four blocks northwest.

(Left) Illinois Street in lower frame, with Subway restaurant at lower left and Hampton Inn & Suites at right.

On the way, sometime between 3:45 a.m. and 4:15 a.m., he gave money to a group of panhandlers that approached him. Then a man – described as black, 30-40 years old – rode up on a bicycle, shoved a handgun against his stomach, and demanded his wallet. The Florida man gave the robber a money clip containing $30, credit cards, and a driver’s license.

Thief grabs camera from hotel guest

A 23-year-old man told police he was walking into the lobby of Club Quarters Hotel, located in Mather Tower on Wacker Drive, when a man who had followed him grabbed his camera and ran away. The victim tried to chase the thief but lost sight of him.

That incident happened on July 8 at about 10:20 a.m. Taken were a Canon 5D Mark III worth $2,500 and a Tamron lens worth $1,000.