Robbers Grabbing Phones, Purses From People In River North

CHICAGO — Police have issued a community alert after several robberies were reported in the Near North neighborhood. In each theft, a robber went up to the person from behind and grabbed their cell phones and purses from their hands, police said.

When one of the victims confronted the thief, the suspect pulled out a blue, semi-automatic handgun and threatened to shoot the person, according to the community alert.

Each theft occurred on Saturday, March 1:

• in the 0-100 block of East Chestnut St. in the early morning
hours
• 900 block of North State St. in the afternoon hours
• 0-100 block of East Oak St. in the afternoon hours

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.