A Chicago-area news crew was mugged at gunpoint while reporting on another robbery. The incident represents the second such crime in August and comes during a significant increase in crime in the Windy City.
The news crew was accosted around 5:00 a.m. Monday in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. The reporter and photojournalist were robbed of their camera and possessions.
Three suspects were observed wearing ski masks and bearing arms. The armed men fled in a black SUV and grey sedan. Police have not announced an arrest in the case.
The Monday incident was not the only one of its type recently. Three weeks earlier another reporter was robbed prior to a press conference around 2 p.m. in the afternoon.
After being asked for money, two suspects attempted to steal the journalist’s phone. The ABC7reporter placed the phone in his vehicle and fled. One of the suspects reportedly smashed the automobile’s window and stole two phones. Both suspects escaped.
The robbery took place prior to a press event by a local pastor set to speak to the press about the murder of his 14-year-old cousin, who was shot nearby.
The thefts involving news crews were not the only high-profile crimes in the city in recent weeks. Chicago has seen a marked increase in car thefts and carjackings in the last several years.
While crime has spiked since the 2020 death of George Floyd, current Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) has received considerable criticism about his approach to the city’s problems.
Johnson recently announced that his city would be suing the Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai for allegedly producing vehicles that are easier to steal than the average car.
The mayor stated that the carmakers’ decision was a “failure” of “sheer negligence,” leading to a “citywide and nationwide crime spree around automobile theft has been unfolding right before our eyes.”
In addition, a member of the city council recently announced support for a plan to ask gang members not to discharge their weapons during daylight hours.
In crime-plagued Chicago, city council member has a plan: Let's designate 12 hours of each day for murders and not do any shooting the other 12. From @DailyMail: https://t.co/SOdoVznQZf
— Byron York (@ByronYork) August 19, 2023
