Six masked suspects steal jewelry, handbags at gunpoint in Mid-City
A pair of masked men armed with guns robbed a jewelry store and left with a total haul of more than $10,000, authorities said.
The men came into the store Wednesday morning armed with weapons — a rifle and a handgun, they were told, according to a police spokeswoman.
The robbers took an employee to a bathroom after forcing their way into the store, according to police. In the bathroom, the robbers got the employee in a choke hold and then punched him several times, possibly until he passed out, said Detective Michelle Gonzalez of the Mid-City Homicide Squad.
Gonzalez didn’t know the employees’ last names, but she said they are in good health.
“They were very cooperative, very professional,” Gonzalez said.
Police are investigating the incident as a possible robbery. Detectives want to talk to anyone with information.
On Thursday, officers spotted a group of people who fit the description set out by the store owner, according to police. The officers stopped the group, which included six men. Two officers pointed their pistols at the men, who were then taken into custody, police said.
After getting their hands cuffed, the men were led away in handcuffs.
Investigators learned that a handgun and two rifles were in a black bag. They also found a large amount of jewelry and handbags stolen in the robbery.
Police are still trying to identify the six men and determine if they are connected.
The suspect in the robbery in Mid-City was described as a black male, wearing a black shirt with a white logo, black jeans and black shoes. He is thought to be between 20 and 30 years old, Gonzalez said.
The suspect in the Mid-City robbery may have been on the city’s South Side. Gonzalez said people there are not aware of the robberies.
“He may still be out there,” Gonzalez said.
The suspect was described as a “light-skinned guy” with a light-colored skin tone, light hair and a mustache. He was wearing a red shirt with the same logo as the robbers, Gonzalez said.
The suspect is still wanted on an aggravated battery charge, said Officer Sean Kane, a Chicago police spokesman.
Officers believe the robbers stole about $10,000