At least four violent robberies on Michigan Avenue in the past two weeks have happened in the South Loop near Grant Park, police say.
The latest incident happened monday evening around 10:30 p.m.
Police say a 22-year-old man was walking south in the 600 block of Michigan Avenue when four men approached him, robbed him and beat him.
“There’s not much you can do," Petros Diakatos, who lives near by, said. "You can’t have cops everywhere to watch your back - maybe do a buddy system. I think those are just random acts especially around the holidays - people need money.”
According to police - the assailants grabbed the victims wallet before punching and kicking him.
“There’s been some muggings - some people getting robbed and this is very concerning because I commute,” said Columbia student Max Blual.
Roosevelt University has alerted students and staff about the latest incidents. Some on campus say the recent attacks are extremely alarming.
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“I know this is an urban environment but there are kids down here - students from out of the city and it’s super concerning,” said Brandon Frien, who teaches at Columbia.
Kelsey Burrus lives just down the street from grant park says with the sun setting much earlier - she worries about walking home after dark and will be taking extra precautions.
“I would say not wearing headphones or even just having someone on the phone while I’m walking, so that someone knows where I’m at and making sure that I make it safely," she said.
