CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning to businesses on the city’s North and Northwest sides after a string of armed robberies over the past two months. 

According to Chicago police, four armed robberies unfolded in the afternoon hours between Saturday, Dec. 30, and Wednesday, Feb. 7, in Edgewater and Albany Park.

Officers say during each incident, two armed men entered the businesses and demanded money from the cash register, before fleeing the scene. 

Chicago police provided the following timeline of the armed robberies: 

  • 3200 Block of West Lawrence Avenue, in Albany Park, on Dec. 30, 2023, at 6:04 p.m. 
  • 5600 Block of North Ridge Avenue, in Edgewater, on Dec. 30, 2023, at 7:45 p.m.
  • 5200 Block of North Broadway Avenue, in Edgewater, on Feb. 7, at 7:55 p.m.
  • 1000 Block of West Wilson Avenue in Edgewater, on Feb. 7, at 8:40 p.m.

Police say the two men responsible are believed to be between 20 and 30 years of age. 

Officers say during the robberies, one of the men was spotted wearing a black puffy coat, a black hat with a Nike logo and black jeans. The other individual was spotted wearing a black puffy coat with a “Guess” emblem on the sleeve, a black ski mask and black pants. 

During each robbery, the individuals responsible were also spotted using a silver handgun. 

Police advise businesses to keep the perimeter of their property well-lit and ensure surveillance cameras are functional and recording. Police say businesses should keep doors and windows secured and advise owners to quickly repair any broken windows, doors or locks.

Business owners are advised to pay special attention to suspicious individuals loitering in the area.

According to officers, anyone who falls victim to a robbery should not attempt to reason or stall with the demands of the robbers and if surveillance video of the robbery is available, businesses should make a copy of it for authorities. 

Anyone with information on the armed robberies is asked to contact CPD Area Three detectives at 312-747-8263 or dial 911. 

Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.