Crime & Safety

Robbers Targeted iPhone Users in Skokie

A group of teens targeted and assaulted four different people who were using an Apple iPhone over a four day span in Skokie.

Skokie has seen three violent-robberies during a four day span after a group of teens allegedly targeted and robbed people who were using an Apple iPhone during the last week of June. Of the three incidents reported, police have charged three juveniles who allegedly attacked or stole a person's iPhone. 

In one instance, a man talking on his iPhone in the 7800 block of Lamon Avenue was attacked after three black teenagers - described to be about 16 to 18-years-old - broke away from a crowd of about 20 people and punched him in the face on June 24 around 4:30 p.m.

The man fell and lost his phone, police stated. The man managed to escape, however, and fled toward the 4900 block of Hull Street where he told family and friends what happened.

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Several people known to the victim called police and left in a vehicle looking for the suspects; they spotted one of them riding a bike near Oakton Street and Skokie Boulevard, police stated.

When the suspect made eye contact with the victim he cut across Skokie Boulevard where he was "almost struck by passing cars," police said. He then rode his bike to a nearby Marathon gas station and fled on foot across all lanes of traffic back toward the CTA Oakton Stop where a foot chase ensued.

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Earlier:

When police arrived they saw a Chicago firefighter, two employees from Annie's Pancake House and an elderly man - all unknown to the victim - chasing the suspect.

When questioned by police, the suspect denied being involved in the attack. The juvenile was charged with strong armed robbery, police said.

Rumble in the Bronx

Police responded to a shots fired complaint in the 10000 block of Bronx Avenue on June 26 around 9 p.m. According to the report, a man with his girlfriend was punched in the face after a group of about "10 to 15 black males" cornered them in an alley, according to the police report. The suspects were described as being between 16 to 17 years old.

The couple told police they had left a nearby party prior to being attacked. They added that the group demanded the two hand over their iPhone, purse and any cash, the report stated. When they denied their request, the mob attacked and looted their belongings before fleeing.

When police arrived "a large group [of people] were running in all directions," the police report stated. No arrests have been made.

Group targets another iPhone user

A man waived down police after "five black teens" about 16 years old robbed him near the intersection of Crawford Avenue and Dempster Street on June 23 at 11:50 p.m. According to the report, the man was calling his father for a ride when one of the alleged suspects suddenly ran past him and slapped the phone out of his hand, the report said.

The iPhone landed in the middle of Crawford Avenue and a second suspect allegedly picked it up and fled through a nearby alley with his friends. Soon after, however, police located five teenagers matching the description given by the victim near the 3600 block of Dempster Street. They were then identified by the victim who told police he wanted to press charges.

One suspect, who wasn't wearing any shoes, initially denied taking the man's phone. However, police found a pair of sandals and an iPhone about 10 feet away, the report stated. He would later confess to police that prior to the robbery him and his friends said, "Dude got an iPhone. Let's take it," according to the report.

Another suspect also was identified by the victim as having picked up the iPhone from the middle of Crawford Avenue, the report stated. Both were charged with one count of robbery and were released to family, police said. 

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