Police say there's been an increase in robberies in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, and some of the robbers are using knives and syringes in their heists.
At least five near north side businesses have been struck since May 15, police said in a community alert released Wednesday.
The latest robbery was at the K. Paige Salon, in the 900 block of West Webster Avenue, on Tuesday morning. A man walked in and displayed a knife before reaching into the cash register. Surveillance cameras recorded the robbery.
In other robberies, a note has been passed to a clerk warning that he or she is armed with a syringe, knife or gun. A syringe or knife has been seen in two of the robberies, police said.
In addition to Tuesday's robbery, others have taken place in:
- the 1300 Block of W. Fullerton Ave. on May 15 at approximately 5:28 p.m.
- the 1100 Block of W. Webster Ave. on May 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m.
- the 2000 Block of N. Clybourn Ave. on May 20 at approximately 11:00 a.m.
- the 1200 Block of W. Fullerton Ave. on May 21 at approximately 9:15 a.m.
- the 900 Block of W. Webster Ave. on May 22 at approximately 10:09 a.m.
The robbers were described by police as being either a white man between the ages of 25 and 30 who stands about 5 feet, 8 inches or 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs between 150 and 180 pounds, and a white woman between the ages of 18 and 25 who stands about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.
The man sometimes wears black glasses and the woman was noted as having long blond hair, police said.
Anyone with information on the crimes should call police at 312-747-8382.
