Men in Drag Behind Multiple Lake View Robberies, Police Warn

Chicago police are searching for as many as five suspects behind a string of Lake View robberies where the offenders hit, kicked and even used pepper spray on victims before stealing their property.

Police issued a community alert Monday warning residents of the recent crimes, each occurring on Belmont, Sheffield or Cornelia avenues. The offenders—described as male, female, or men dressed in drag—either asked to use a victim’s cell phone, snatched a purse or wallet, or disabled their victims before removing items from their pockets.

The robbery and purse snatching happened at the following locations:

• 900 block of W. Belmont Ave. – Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2013, 3:30 a.m.
• 900 block of W. Belmont Ave. – Saturday, Sep. 28, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
• 3500 block of N. Sheffield Ave. – Saturday, Sep. 28, 2013, 4:10 a.m.
• 1200 block of W. Cornelia Ave. – Monday, Sep. 30, 2013, 12:20 a.m.
• 600 block of W. Belmont Ave. – Monday, Sep. 30, 2013, 12:50 a.m. 

The offenders are described as African American males, females, or men dressed as women varying in age from late teens to 30-years-old.

In the first robber on the 900 block of Belmont, the offender is described as an African American male wearing a blonde, long-haired wig and dress. 

The robbery on the 1200 block of Cornelia, the victim described the offender as an African American female, about 20-to 25-years-old and about 5-foot, 10-inches. She was also said to be wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt with white lettering.

In the purse snatching on the 600 block of Belmont, police say an African American male age 25-to 29-years-old exited the back seat of a dark older model vehicle believed to be a Nissan Altima. The car contained three to four African Americans dressed in drag.

Police are telling residents to always be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious people or vehicles. If an offender confronts you, remain calm and remember key characteristics like scars, limps, acne or teeth. If a witness approaches you, ask for their contact information. 

If you have any information about the five crimes, call the Bureau of Detectives at (312) 744-8263.