2019-03-01 22:24:35
Gold Coast is one of Chicago’s premier hangout spots for upscale shopping, restaurants, and just taking a nice walk, but several thefts in the area have visitors and residents on edge.
Chicago police say Friday that a 70-year-old woman was standing on a sidewalk on East Oak Street on Friday morning when a man walked up behind her, snatched the cellphone out of her hand, and ran away from the scene.
Witnesses say the man got into a gray SUV, and a later check by police revealed that the SUV had been reported stolen.
Just 10 minutes prior to that theft, a 46-year-old woman was walking on North State Street near Walton when a man stole the phone out of her hand. That man ran eastbound on the street before getting into an SUV and speeding off.
A Good Samaritan chased down the thief, who allegedly pointed a handgun at him before fleeing the scene.
“I usually feel safe,” one visitor said. “I guess I shouldn’t because we are in the city. I just don’t think about it. I take it for granted.”
No one is in custody in connection with either theft, and Area Central Detectives are still investigating the incidents.