FEBRUARY 24TH, 2024
PUBLIC SAFETY STATEMENT REGARDING STRING OF ROBBERIES REPORTED IN 19TH AND 20TH DISTRICTS
The 20th District has informed the 40th Ward office of a string of robberies across the northside in the last 24 hours, including in and near the 40th Ward. Offenders have reportedly been using stolen Kias and Hyundais to approach victims and demand phones, purses, and other belongings.
- At approximately 6:30pm, February 18th, a robbery in a stolen Kia was reported on the 1500 block of W Ardmore by a group of three men.
- The same crew is believed to be connected to a robbery later reported at Lincoln and Rockwell that evening.
- An attempted robbery was also reported at 8pm on the 18th at Foster and Winchester.
- At approximately 2pm today, February 19th, a robbery was reported at 2100 W Ainslie.
The City’s Priority Response Team will be adding patrols in the 20th District tonight. The district will be prioritizing patrols in and around targeted areas. Neighbors are encouraged to on alert for suspiciously approaching Kias and Hyundais, which are more susceptible to theft due to vehicle software vulnerabilities. These stolen vehicles are then often used to commit additional crimes. The 40th Ward will continue to share alerts as we receive them from CPD.
If you own a Kia or Hyundai, or other vehicle, and want to protect your car from possible theft, please join the Office of Community Policing for one of their upcoming Vehicle Safety Days. The Office of Community Policing and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will be offering free anti-theft software upgrades for Kias and Hyundais, steering wheel locks and catalytic converter etching while supplies last. Upcoming nearby Vehicle Safety Days include February 24th from 9am to 11am at 4317 N Western and March 2nd from 9am to 2pm at 5455 N Lincoln Ave. Learn more about these events and others across the city here.
The impacts of violence extend beyond the immediate victim to family members, friends, neighbors, and other community members. Efforts to reduce the effects of community violence on individuals include education about the prevalence of toxic stress and protective benefits of strengthening relationships between community members, including youth, impacted by violence and trauma.
To find support near you, visit the City’s UnSpoken page. You can also call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago Helpline at 833-626-4244 (833-NAMI-CHI) or the City of Chicago Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-877-863-6338. The Illinois Department of Human Services has also launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For more information review these factsheets: 988 Factsheets English | Spanish. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of harm, please call 911.
Additional support resources can be found here.
Yours in Service and Community,
