CHICAGO — Two separate daylight robberies targeting construction crews unfolded this week in the Lincoln Park and Logan Square neighborhoods, raising concerns about ongoing patterns of targeted attacks at job sites across the city.
According to Chicago Police Department reports, the two robberies occurred within 24 hours of each other and involved masked suspects armed with firearms and driving vehicles with obscured plates.
First Robbery Outside Moody Church in Lincoln Park
Around 11:15 a.m. Monday, two masked individuals exited a black vehicle and approached a work crew stationed in the 1600 block of North La Salle Drive, just outside The Moody Church.
Armed with a gun, the suspects demanded personal belongings from the workers. Two construction workers were robbed of their wallets, and tools were taken from their truck, according to CPD. In a twist that could aid detectives, one of the robbers reportedly left behind a cellphone at the scene.
Witnesses told officers that the suspects fled north on La Salle Drive. They were described as Black males wearing black hoodies, and their vehicle appeared to be a black Chevrolet with a covered license plate.
Second Robbery in Logan Square Involves Assault
Roughly 26 hours later, at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, another robbery unfolded in the 1800 block of North Whipple Street in Logan Square.
In this case, two men dressed entirely in black exited a gray Mercedes and broke into a plumber’s work truck. When the owner attempted to intervene, he was physically assaulted by the suspects, according to the CPD report. The extent of his injuries has not been disclosed.
No arrests have been made in either case as of Wednesday morning.
CPD Links Ongoing Cases to Broader Pattern
These incidents reflect an ongoing concern for construction crews working throughout the city. Some robbery crews have been known to specifically target construction sites, taking advantage of unsecured tools and early work hours.
In September 2024, Chicago police issued a community alert warning about a team of armed robbers preying on crews at active job sites. Since then, at least nine incidents have been reported.
Just last month, prosecutors charged a man for a gunpoint robbery of a construction crew, linking him to the broader pattern of similar attacks in 2025.
Key Details So Far:
- Two robberies within 24 hours, both involving armed suspects
- Stolen items include wallets, tools, and possibly construction equipment
- Suspects used black and gray vehicles with concealed plates
- One cellphone recovered at a crime scene may aid the investigation
- Victim in second incident was physically assaulted
CPD has not released surveillance footage or suspect sketches but continues to investigate whether these two events are linked or part of a larger criminal crew operating citywide.
Do you work in construction or plumbing in the city? Have you or your crew experienced similar incidents recently? We want to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what more the city should do to protect workers on job sites.
