WEST TOWN— Armed suspects involved in a West Town carjacking and a nearby robbery were riding Divvy bikes, according to a Sunday community alert from Near West (12th) police.
Both incidents— an aggravated vehicular hijacking in West Town and an armed robbery near Fulton Market — happened last weekend, June 23-24, according to the alert.
Police said the attackers were riding Divvy bikes as they approached their victims.
The first incident happened in the 700 Block of North Sangamon Street at 6:45 p.m. on June 23. Police said the suspect approached the victim’s car with a handgun and fled with their vehicle.
The suspect was a lone black male with short hair, 18 to 20 years old and 5-foot-10, wearing a black hoodie and jeans, police said.
In the second incident, two men “struck the victim with their hands, displayed a knife, and took personal belongings” from them. That happened in the 1400 block of West Lake Street at 10:40 a.m. on June 24.
The suspects in the West Loop incident, both men, were estimated to be in early 20s.
Officer Michael Carroll, a Chicago Police spokesman, said on Monday that police do not have specific information about the bicycles and how they were procured but that detectives are investigating the crimes.
A Divvy spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Monday.
Police advise residents to dial 911 and remain on the scene if they are victims of a crime and to remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.)
Anyone with information should call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 and reference reports JB-319793 and JB-321222.
