Man with machete robbing people on Chicago's Northwest Side: police

CHICAGO - Chicago police are warning residents about a string of armed robberies by a man with a machete over the last couple weeks in Avondale, Belmont Gardens and Logan Square on the Northwest Side.

In each of the incidents, the victim is approached by a man armed with a machete who demands their personal belongings, Chicago police said.

The suspect then flees in a silver 4-door sedan, officials said. In one of the incidents, the sedan appeared to be driven by a second suspect.

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The incidents occurred at the following times, dates and locations:

• 3000 block of North Christiana Avenue, May 27, 7:58 p.m.;
• 3200 block of North Monticello Avenue, May 30, 11:45 p.m.;
• 4100 block of West Fletcher Street, between May 30 at 11:45 p.m. and May 31 at 12:10 a.m.;
• 3300 block of North Monticello Avenue, June 3, 9 p.m.; and
• 4000 block of West Eddy Street, June 3, between 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

The suspect is described as a white Hispanic man between 25 and 30-years-old, between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, 150 pounds with curly hair, police said.

Police said the second suspect was described as a white Hispanic man between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-5, between 125 and 160 pounds with a light complexion.

During a Monday news conference, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said the robberies "likely are related" because a machete is the "common weapon." He said more police resources are being added to the area where the attacks have happened, including during the overnight hours.

"We’re expending all of our resources to capture this person as soon as possible," Brown told reporters at police headquarters. "Obviously we’re concerned, as every resident is, that this violent person is using a weapon like a machete. But we, at this point, don’t have an offender in custody."

Police encourage residents to stay aware of their surroundings, report suspicious activities and to refrain from chasing after a possible offender.

Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.