Armed robberies reported minutes apart in Lake View East
CHICAGO - Two women and a man were robbed in separate incidents minutes apart Wednesday night in the Lake View East neighborhood.
The women, 27 and 28, were walking on the sidewalk at 9:21 p.m. in the 800 block of West Wolfram Street when two gunmen got out of a red Mazda SUV and demanded their belongings, police said.
The gunmen took their cellphones and purses, police said.
Neither woman was hurt during the incident, police said.
Less than a half hour later, a 46-year-old man was approached by gunmen as he was entering his building in the 500 block of West Stratford Place, police said.
They took his cellphones, wallet and a yellow backpack, police said.
The man suffered a minor injury to his jaw but refused treatment at the scene, police said.
The gunmen fled in a red Mazda SUV. Police have not said if they believe the two robberies are connected.
A resident who was nearby described the commotion.
"Well I heard a lady scream. It sounded like ... she was in distress," said Anil Mulchandani. "By the time I stepped outside it was just the two of them and the assailants had left. So, I just asked if they needed help. They told me they were held up at gunpoint with guns held up to their head. It was very intense."
Mulchandani said he took the women into his home while they waited for police.
"They were very shaken up, understandably. I just hope, I hope it doesn't cause lifelong trauma for them," he said.
Several homes on Wolfram have security cameras and one of the homeowners told FOX 32 he has been in contact with police.
Mulchandani said the robbery was a good reminder to "be aware of your surroundings and don't have your earbuds in at all times. Don't have your nose in your phone. Pay attention to what's going on around you."
Area Three detectives are investigating.