Police said Friday evening they're talking to a man regarding an early-morning attack on the city's northwest side a day earlier.
In that incident, which was captured by a surveillance camera from Penny's Noodle Shop, at 1542 N. Damen Ave., a woman was walking down the street when a man ran up behind her and snatched her purse.
It follows a rash of similar incidents since early December in the bustling neighborhoods. Police haven't yet charged anyone, and they declined to attribute the man with whom they're speaking to any of the other attacks.
Despite the attacks, Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st) said crime in his ward is down 20 percent in the last year. Residents in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area, however, say that while those numbers may be true, there is a growing sense of uneasiness in the area. They say the recent muggings are just a small portion of the crimes in the area.
"There's always police chases. I always hear sirens, especially on the weekends. It's crazy," said one woman.
Residents complain of stolen air conditioning units and of shipped packages disappearing from inside locked entries doorsteps and vestibules. Many said they've changed their own habits, like opting to keep items in their pockets rather than a purse.
Moreno said the vigilance is a good step, but also urged citizens to become more involved in their neighborhoods and the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy.
"The communities that have the highest involvement in CAPS, we have the lowest and we have the most reduction in crime," he said.
Anyone with information on any of the crimes should call detectives at 312-746-8362.
