‘In broad daylight’: Bucktown residents question why armed robbery is classified as a property crime

CHICAGO — Bucktown residents are on the wane following the recent armed robbery in the neighborhood.

A local resident speaking to WGN News Friday said despite efforts to strengthen security, robberies are all too common and an incident on Thursday rocked the neighborhood.

“Me and my girlfriend were walking past the church and we hear this guy screaming,” he said.

Police said an attempted armed robbery happened around 11am near the corner of Wood and Bloomingdale. Two suspected attackers and an accomplice fled the scene empty-handed.

The couple, with whom WGN News spoke, were the victims of an August 20 armed robbery just blocks from the one they recently heard about.

“Just an all-around helpless feeling,” he said.

The couple showed an August 20 incident report that classified the armed robbery as a property crime.

“I had a gun pointed at my face, a gun in my chest,” he said. “Strangers rummaging through my pockets feels more like assault.”

In addition to the armed robberies, two vehicles had their windows smashed last month for no apparent reason.

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