- Credibility:
CHICAGO — The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man wanted in two apparently random Rogers Park lakefront murders has surged to $150,000, Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson announced Thursday.
The money came from members of a neighborhood on edge after two men were gunned down within two days of each other about a month ago. Ballistics test showed the bullets came from the same gun.
The reward was raised to the current level from the previously announced $23,000.
“This increase marks the highest reward raised exclusively by the community for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a homicide suspect within the city of Chicago,” Johnson said at a news conference to update the neighborhood on the search for the gunman.
On Sept. 30, Douglass Watts, 73, was shot dead while walking his dogs in the 1400 block of West Sherwin Avenue, police said.
On Oct. 1, Eliyahu Moscowitz, 24, was shot in the head at 10 p.m. near the lakefront trail at Lunt Avenue, just blocks away.
There is no known motive.
“The Rogers Park community, along with the entire city of Chicago was rocked by the senseless murders that took place here just over five weeks ago,” Johnson said.
Police have described the killer as a tall black man with a thin build. He wore dark clothing and a dark mask over part of his face.
Police say he was seen on multiple surveillance cameras and walks with “duck feet” — his toes pointed out.
Police have received more than 430 independent leads related to the case. Since then, detectives have poured over hours of surveillance video, knocking on doors and pursuing leads. State and federal agencies are also assisting in the investigation.
“However we are still asking for more help. We are hopeful that this significant reward increase will encourage individuals with direct knowledge of, and interaction with, the suspect to come forward,” Johnson said. “Someone out there listening or watching right now knows who this person is.”
Tips can be reported to www.cpdtip.com or Area North Detectives at 312-744-8261.
