A woman was sprayed with mace Wednesday morning during an attempted robbery in front of a busy Lakeview restaurant, police said.
The woman told police she was right outside Ann Sather restaurant around 9:30 a.m. when a young woman tried to take her cell phone. There was a struggle before the robber sprayed her with mace and ran off.
Police said the victim was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center where she was treated and released.
While crime isn't uncommon in the neighborhood, the area in the 900 block of West Belmont is busy at that time of day.
"I am kind of surprised it would happen at 9:30 a.m. You always just have to be vigilant and pay attention, be aware of your surroundings. Surprising it would happen somewhere like Ann Sather."
According to police, most robberies in Lakeview happen between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Police are reviewing surveillance video from the Belmont CTA stop, and Ann Sather owner Ald. Tom Tunney is working with police to find the suspect.
