At least 15 incidents were reported from April 5 to May 17 in River North, Streeterville and Lake View.
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago police are investigating a string of armed robberies in which 15 people were forced at gunpoint to hand over cellphones and transfer money during late-night attacks on the city’s North Side.
The cases matter now because police say the same pattern has spread across busy entertainment areas in River North, Streeterville and Lake View from April 5 to May 17. Victims reported that robbers took their phones and then used the devices to reach bank or payment accounts. In five cases, police said, victims were forced into a vehicle and driven around while transactions were made.
The robberies began early April 5 in the 100 block of West Ontario Street in River North and continued for more than six weeks. Police listed attacks on East Ohio Street in Streeterville, North Clark Street and North Broadway in Lake View, and North Dearborn Street, West Hubbard Street, North La Salle Street and East Ohio Street in River North. Many happened after midnight or before dawn, including several near Clark Street in Wrigleyville. “I mean, this is insane,” said Lindsay Slay, who works on Clark Street. “This is supposed to be a safe area.”
Police said victims were approached by robbers who used force, threats or a handgun to take cellphones and other belongings. After taking the phones, the robbers accessed financial accounts and made transfers or other transactions, according to police. Investigators believe as many as four men may be involved in the latest pattern. A previous police alert described one to three Black males, between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighing between 140 and 210 pounds. Police said vehicles used in some cases included a dark-colored SUV or sedan and a black BMW SUV. No arrests had been announced as of Friday.
The locations show a tight focus on nightlife corridors and nearby downtown streets. The first reported robbery happened at 12:35 a.m. April 5 on West Ontario Street. Others followed April 18 on East Ohio Street, April 22 on North Clark Street, April 23 on North Broadway, and April 26 on North Dearborn Street and West Hubbard Street. Police then reported several more in early May, including three separate incidents around the 3500 block of North Clark Street from May 2 to May 4. The most recent cases listed by police happened May 17 on North Clark Street, North La Salle Street and East Ohio Street.
The case has drawn attention because the robberies moved beyond taking wallets or cash. Police said the thieves used the stolen phones to reach bank accounts, turning the devices into a way to steal money after the first confrontation. In five incidents, police said, victims were forced into the suspects’ vehicle and driven while the robbers made fraudulent transactions. Authorities have not released the total amount stolen, the names or ages of the victims, or whether any victims were hurt. Police also have not said whether investigators believe the same people carried out every incident in the pattern.
The investigation remains active through Chicago police. A police alert issued earlier in May used reference number P26-3-015 and listed robberies from April 5 to May 10. The later police warning added three May 17 incidents, bringing the public count to 15. Detectives are still working to identify the suspects and vehicles. Police have released only broad descriptions so far, and no court dates or charges have been announced because no suspect had been publicly charged in the case as of Friday.
People who work and live near the reported scenes described the robberies as unsettling because they happened in areas often filled with bars, restaurants and late-night crowds. Slay said she recently moved to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana, and started a job in the Lake View area two months ago. “You can’t trust anyone,” Slay said. “I mean you have to always watch your back.” Isabel Brownlee, a Lakeview East resident, said the locations made sense because of the area’s nightlife, but she still viewed the neighborhood as a place where many people expect to feel safe.
The newest listed robbery happened between 4:40 a.m. and 4:52 a.m. May 17 in the 0-100 block of East Ohio Street in River North. Police had not announced arrests by May 23, and detectives continued to review the robbery pattern, vehicle descriptions and reported phone-based transactions.
Author note: Last updated May 23, 2026.