Police warn South Loop residents of armed robberies

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Chicago Police are cautioning residents of the South Loop after four robberies were reported in three days earlier this month.

According to a community alert, the robberies occurred:
-in the 300 block of East 21st Street on Jan. 11 at 4:10 a.m. and again at 6:15 a.m.;
-in the 1600 block of South Prairie on Jan. 13 about 5:30 a.m.;
-in the 2200 block of South Indiana on Jan. 13 about 5:33 a.m.

In each case, two men targeted drivers entering or exiting their vehicles, police said. They walked up to the victim, showed them a black, semi-automatic pistol and demanded their wallets, jewelry and cellphones.

The suspects were described as black men between 25 and 35 years old, police said. One was wearing a black jacket and pink pants.

The other man wore a black leather coat, a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, police said. He had short black hair and was wearing a multi-colored skeleton mask.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8384.