Please be careful and stay alert in the neighborhood everyone. Two separate incidents occurred this week where men were assaulted and robbed in Wicker Park. Just before midnight on Tuesday July 5, 2016 two employees of XOCO Bistro (1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue) were beaten and robbed by 6 teenagers. The incident occurred in the block of 1700 W. North Avenue. According to a report published by DNAInfo, the teenagers bumped into the men before they attacked, beat and robbed them; stealing a cell phone, 2 backpacks and a wallet. The incident has resulted in one of the employees quitting his job.
The teenagers involved in this incident are described as black with short hair, ages 13-17, shorter than 5 foot 8 inches and weighing less than 150 pounds.
The 2nd incident occurred a few hours later at approximately 3am. A 36-year-old man was approached by 2 men as he was riding his bike in the vicinity of 2000 W. Pierce Street just north of Big Star and steps away from the Damen Blue Line El Station. The men approached him, pulled him off of his bicycle and then assaulted and robbed him.The man's green Schwinn bicycle and cigarettes were stolen. The only description offered by the cyclist was that the offenders were black.
If you have any information that can assist with the investigation of these crimes and/or the apprehension of the offenders, please contact the Chicago Police Department. Stay safe guys.
