Beware of Cell Phone Snatches in South Loop

crimealertarea — A map of the area police identified in the alert message.

The 1st District Police have issues an alert about a rash of cellphone snatches in the South Loop area this week, on Thursday.

The alert says there has been an increase in robbery related incidents during the month of January. In these incidents, lone female victims have been approached on the street during the daytime hours and had their Cell Phones taken by force. These incidents have occurred between State St. to Michigan Ave. and 14th St. to Cullerton St.

Here is a description of the offenders, who were using a car to get away:

Offender #1: Male Black, 18-25 years of age, 5′-7″ to 5′ 10″ tall, medium build with dreadlock hair style, wearing various clothing.
Offender #2: Male Black, no further description, seen driving get away vehicle.

They used a Green or Gray Jeep Cherokee and a Purple Dodge Intrepid to get away, but the Dodge was abandoned and recovered after the incident on January 29. It had been reported stolen prior to the incident.

If you have any information Contact the Bureau of Detectives – Area Central (312) 745-4383 and these are the incident and reference numbers: HW117040, HW134590, HW135886 Reference: P13-1-021.

The general advice and instructions from police are:

• Always be aware of your surroundings

• Keep valuables out of site

• Report suspicious activity immediately

• If you are confronted by an assailant remain calm

• Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth,

clothing, etc…)

• Never pursue a fleeing assailant, provide the information to the police

• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information.

• Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible.

No one wants to be a victim, but there are some apps you can install on iPhones and Android phones to help you recover your phone if it gets lost or stolen. For the iPhone, IGOTYA, and for Android OS, Lockout, are apps that provide security and a bit more. If the phone is stolen or an incorrect passcode or pattern is entered too many times, the app takes a picture of suspect (or the fat-fingered owner who mistypes the code too many times) with the front-facing camera. The picture is emailed to the phone’s owner, and there is a feature to lock the phone remotely.