Police warn of increase in robberies in Austin

CHICAGO (STMW) - Chicago Police are warning residents of an increase in robberies in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side.

At least five robberies have been reported since Jan. 5, according to a community alert from police.

The robberies happened:

At 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 6 in the 5300 block of West Quincy Street;
At 7:38 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the 600 block of South Central Avenue;
At 11:55 a.m. on Jan. 9 in the 1000 block of South Mason Avenue;
At 1:55 p.m. on Jan. 11 in the 100 block of South Cicero Avenue;
And at 12:50 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the 100 block of North Lavergne Avenue.
In each robbery, one to three men exited a green or black Pontiac or a black four-door vehicle, approached people on the street, pulled out a gun and demanded their property, police said.

The robbers are described as one to three black men, 20-30 years of age, standing 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-3, weighing 170-200 pounds and armed with a black handgun, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.