No arrests have yet been made in two armed robberies that occurred in January in La Grange and La Grange Park, but police say they have stepped up patrols and are taking various other steps to solve them.
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Both departments have increased patrols of on-duty officers in residential neighborhoods, have added “hire-back” officers to conduct patrols in unmarked vehicles, have added visible police patrols, particularly on weekends, both on foot and in vehicles, and are working with law enforcement in nearby communities.
“We all have enhanced patrols, knock and talks and we’re following up on leads,” said La Grange Park Police Chief Ed Rompa.
He also said the business community has provided a significant amount of surveillance videos that investigators are reviewing.
In a joint news release, both departments said there also are other investigative activities in progress that they cannot report on.
In the first armed robbery In La Grange, two 16-year-old boys were robbed about 9:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 near the intersection of Cossitt and Spring avenues in La Grange, according to a news release from police.
The 16-year-olds were approached by two men on foot who brandished firearms and demanded their cellphones and money, police said. The two handed over their property and no one was injured, police said. The men fled on foot, east on Cossitt Avenue.
The two 16-year-olds ran three blocks west to Lyons Township High School and called police.
In the La Grange Park armed robbery, three men approached four juveniles at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at the northeast corner of Brewster and Kensington avenues, police said. They allegedly brandished firearms and demanded the juveniles’ money and cellphones. The juveniles handed over their property and no one was injured, police said. The offenders fled on foot, police said. The four ran two blocks northeast to the La Grange Park Police Department to report the crime.
In the La Grange incident, police described one of the suspects as a black, about 20 years old, about 5-feet, 10-inches to 6-feet 1-inch tall, with a slim build and wearing a baseball cap, grey hooded sweat shirt and dark pants. Another man is described as a black, about 20 years old, about 5-feet, 7-inches to 5-feet, 11-inches tall, with a heavy build, dreadlocks and wearing a dark jacket.
In the La Grange Park robbery, one of the suspects was described as a black male, about 6-feet tall with an athletic build and wearing a black hoodie/coat, and red hat. Another was described as black male wearing a black hoodie and black pants and the third was described as a black male, about 6-feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and jeans.
The two departments are working together on the investigation. Both departments are asking resident who see anything suspicious or have information to call 708-352-2151.
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