Nursing Home Explosion, Man Shot While Driving

The following reports are based on police reports from Chicago's 19th Police District.

The district provides police protection on Chicago's north side, from Lawrence Avenue on the north, Fullerton Avenue on the south, the Chicago River on the west and Lake Michigan on the east. 

Lincoln Park

Latin Kings Threaten Security Man
Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

A security worker at Lathrop Homes near the corner of Diversey Parkway and Damen Avenue called police when a man banned from the property showed up and threaten to shoot him. According to the report, when the security guard asked the 20-year-old man to leave, he replied, “I’m gonna come back and shoot your ass.”

Police arrested the man shortly after on the 2200 block of Diversey Parkway. After police questioned his unique tattoos on his face, hands and neck, the man admitted to being a member of the Latin Kings gang. 

Uptown

Bank Robber Still at Large
Dec. 20 at 4:36 p.m.

Police were alerted of a bank robbery at the North Community Bank at 4701 N. Clark St. after an unknown man dressed in construction gear got away with $2,900. According to the police report, a man believed to be 25-to 35-years-old went up to a bank teller and said, “Give me the money,” followed by, “Give me all your (expletive) money.”

After handing over bundles from her drawer, the man told the teller not to bother with the single dollar bills. He was wearing a hard hat, white facemask and an orange and yellow construction vest during the robbery. The FBI is currently investigating footage of the incident.

Lake View

Explosion, Fire at a Nursing Home
Dec. 21 at 1:40 a.m.

Firefighters and police crews were called to a blaze at The Hallmark Retirement Center when a large transformer exploded, causing wiring in the building’s basement to catch on fire. Located at 2960 N. Lake Shore Dr., the fire caused two rescue personnel to be rushed to the hospital.

According to the report, two 40-and 41-year-old firefighters were rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital via ambulance. Both suffered repertory distress and difficulty breathing. They were transferred to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital and are reported to be in “fair condition.”

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Lake View

Woman Attacked, Robbed on Barry
Dec. 21 at 1:30

Medical officials at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital contacted police when woman admitted herself for treatment after being attacked by three men. The 42-year-old Jefferson Park woman told police she was walking on the 900 block of Barry Avenue early that morning when three men approached her from behind, knocking her to the ground. The report says the woman was sober.

The unknown men are believed to be 20-to 30-years-old. They stole the woman’s backpack containing miscellaneous items, as well as her $100 boots before fleeing.

Roscoe Village

Man Shot While Driving
Dec. 22 at 5:05 a.m.

A 29-year-old West Ridge man was shot in the back while driving on the 3400 block of North Western Avenue. The young gunman is still at large.

According to police, two unknown men driving a black Dodge Caliber followed the car on Western Avenue before attacking. A 23-year-old woman and 30-year-old man were also in the car and saw the black car drive up next to theirs, show them a black handgun, and then shoot at their car once. The bullet blew through the rear passenger-side window, hitting the driver in the back and causing serious injuries.

Although shot, the man drove himself to Swedish Covenant Hospital at 5145 N. California Ave. in Lincoln Square to receive treatment.

Police met with him at the hospital, and they report he was in stable condition. Both the victim and two witnesses in the car believe the shooter to be about 18-years-old. Police are still investigating the shooting.

Patch initially reported on this on Dec. 22.

Lake View

Man Beaten, Robbed by Two Women in Boystown
Dec. 22 at 3:30 a.m.

A 46-year-old Lake View man walked to the 19th District Police station after being beaten and robbed by two women and one man on the 800 block of West Aldine Avenue. According to the report, the man was walking to a friend’s home when the three criminals believed to be in their 20s walked up and began punching and kicking the man repeatedly.

One of the robbers took the man’s keys and wallet with $130 from his pockets. After running off, the man began screaming for help and a passing car slowed down, but it didn’t stop. The man walked to his friend’s house to clean up, went back to the scene to find his stolen keys, and then filed a report at the police station.

Lake View

Drunk Man Robbed at Knifepoint off Southport
Dec. 23 at 12:20 a.m.

A 22-year-old intoxicated Lake View man was robbed by two men at knifepoint early Sunday morning on the 3400 block of North Lakewood Avenue, one block east of Southport Avenue. Police report a man came up to him from behind, put his hand over his mouth and said, “We will (expletive) kill you.”

That’s when the second man walked in front of the two holding a knife. He went through the victim’s pockets and stole the man’s iPhone and wallet before both ran away. The man then walked to the 19th Police District to tell police.

Lincoln Square

Elderly Man Robbed on Christmas Day
Dec. 25 at 3:45 a.m.

Police were called to the 2700 block of West Giddings Street early on Christmas Day after a 55-year-old man was hit in the back of the head with an unknown object, causing him to fall down a set of stairs before his assailant robbed him.

According to the police report, the man was unlocking his front door when an unknown man ran up behind him and hit him in the back of the head. The force was apparently so great, the man fell down the set of stairs leading into his apartment.

• Read the full story here on Lincoln Square Patch.