Latest news with #armedrobberies
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Armed robbers target multiple people in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood
Police issued a community alert Sunday about a string of armed robberies in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. In each incident, one to three robbers have approached the victims and demanded their property at gunpoint, police said. The robbers take the victims' property and flee either on foot or in a car that may be a dark-colored four-door sedan. Many of the robberies happened in broad daylight. The robberies happened at the following specific times and locations: The robbers are described as three teenage boys or young men, ages 14 to 20, armed with handguns. Anyone with information should call Calumet Area detectives at 312-747-8273, or submit an anonymous tip at and use reference #P25-02-005CA.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Armed group used dating app to lure, rob three victims on South Side, police warn
Chicago police are warning about a string of armed robberies on the city's South Side connected to an online dating app. The robberies in the 4800 block of South Drexel Boulevard in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood. Police said the victims arranged to meet with someone they met on the app. When the victim arrived, he met with another man who led him into a nearby apartment building. Once inside, additional men surrounded the victim, displayed a weapon, took the victim's belongings, and used the victim's cell phone to transfer money from the victim's bank account. During one of the robberies, the victim was hurt, but police did not say how. The robberies happened on the following dates and times: No clear description of the suspects was available. Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact Area 1 detectives at 312-747-8380 or submit an anonymous tip at using reference number P251087.
New York Times
16-07-2025
- New York Times
Louisiana Police Chiefs Accused of Fabricating Robberies in Immigrant Visa Scheme
The police reports, signed by law enforcement officials in otherwise quiet and small Central Louisiana towns, described a rash of armed robberies. The crimes had targeted people with no ties to the region, all of them immigrants struggling to find a toehold in the country. But according to federal investigators, the reports were full of lies. 'In fact, the armed robberies never took place,' Alexander C. Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told reporters on Wednesday. Mr. Van Hook and other federal officials said that they had exposed a scheme to exploit a program that offers undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime a path to temporary legal residency and citizenship. A federal grand jury has indicted current and former police chiefs in three communities, another local law enforcement official and a Louisiana businessman whom prosecutors described as the architect of the scheme. Prosecutors said that the chiefs would produce false reports documenting armed robberies. Listed as victims were undocumented immigrants, who the prosecutors said had paid a middle man. They were trying to take advantage of the federal U-visa program, which was created in 2000 and is available to undocumented immigrants who are victims of certain violent crimes. To qualify, applicants have to cooperate with law enforcement officials by helping with investigations and serving as witnesses. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Sun
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
O2 phone shops in high risk areas locking their doors after spate of armed robberies by crime gangs
Customers at certain shops now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard PHONES LOCKED O2 phone shops in high risk areas locking their doors after spate of armed robberies by crime gangs PHONE shops in high risk areas have been forced to lock their doors to customers after a spate of armed robberies by organised crime gangs. O2 has confirmed a 'locked door' policy is now in place at a number of high street stores across the country in response to the terrifying raids - including Richmond in south-west London, The Strand in central London and St Albans, Herts. Advertisement 3 O2 has confirmed a 'locked door' policy is now in place at a number of high street stores across the country Credit: Andrew Styczynski 3 The move is in response to the terrifying raids - including Richmond in south-west London, The Strand in central London and St Albans, Herts Credit: Andrew Styczynski 3 Instead of just walking into the shops, customers now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard Credit: Andrew Styczynski Instead of just walking into the shops, customers now have to knock on the door and be let in by a security guard. The Sun found staff at the shop in St Albans on Friday were operating a one in one out system, only allowing up to three members of the public in at a time. According to a source, they were forced to bring in these measures after two terrifying robberies which left staff members fearing for their lives. They said: 'At the end of February we had an attempted robbery. Three guys came in and tried to force their way into the store room. Advertisement 'I saw them, all with their faces covered, out of the corner of my eye and I thought I was done for. 'We suspected they had a weapon and they were trying to force staff back there to open the door - the police came that time and they didn't manage to take anything. 'A few months before in October the shop was actually robbed, they took thousands of pounds worth of phones. 'There were two customers in the shop at the time, and because of the threats and the suspected weapon it was decided that the door would be locked. Advertisement 'No one should come into work and be scared they're going to be stabbed over a phone - no one wants to lose their life over just a phone. 'It has affected trade a little, but you know now all the people coming in have the intention to buy and it makes staff feel safer while helping them so I think it's worth it.' Moment phone snatcher receives instant karma as he's knocked off his bike by furious Londoners In May, the O2 shop in Richmond was targeted by two armed men, with one swiftly arrested by police. Just a few months before in February, the same shop was raided by armed thieves who forced staff into the store room and made off with a number of mobiles. Advertisement An O2 spokesperson said: 'In response to a growing number of thefts at stores in certain areas, we have introduced a 'locked door' policy at a small proportion of our stores, including in St Albans. 'These stores remain fully open for our customers, and the only difference they will experience is that instead of opening the door themselves, it will be opened for them by a security guard. 'This decision has been taken to prioritise the safety of both our employees and our customers, as well as the security of our stock. 'We are working closely with law enforcement, and with other providers who are facing similar issues, to tackle this problem.'
