Robbers Using Social Media To Lure Austin Residents: Police

CHICAGO — Police are warning of armed robberies in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side. The robbers have been using social media to lure people, police said in a community alert.

In each robbery, the victim arranged to purchase items listed for sale online, police said. Upon arriving at the meeting location, between one and three suspects threatened the victim with a handgun and stole their property.

The robberies occurred in the following locations:

• 5300 block of W. Gladys Ave. on Jan. 3 at 6:00 PM.
• 4800 block of W. Rice St. on Jan. 12 at 5:40 PM.
• 4800 Block of W. Race Ave. on Jan. 12 at 10:37 PM.

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

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