Trio Charged with Robbery, Aggravated Robbery

police have arrested three Chicagoans – one a juvenile – who they say were responsible for a string of robberies last week.

Sameerah Iman Huff, 19; Eric Harper, 20 and a 15-year-old male were charged July 21 with robbery and aggravated robbery for their connection to incidents that took place July 19 and July 20.

Here’s what happened:

• Between 8:50 and 9 p.m., July 19, one suspect grabbed a 36-year-old woman from behind and told her to be quiet while he forced her to the ground. He and another suspect then took her iPhone and fled the scene in a light-colored auto. The incident took place in the 600 block of North Taylor Avenue.
• Several minutes later, a 16-year-old walking in the alley in the 200 block of North Elmwood Avenue was approached by two people. One told him to stand still, and while the second held his arms, the first removed a wallet from his pants pocket. The pair got into a gray sedan and took off south in the alley.
• Between 9:50 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. on July 20, two people were walking in the 600 block of Adams Street when two males got out of a gray sedan. One stole a cell phone from the 18-year-old male while the second robbed the 19-year-old of her purse. They both got back in the sedan and fled east on Madison from Euclid.

The connection between the three crimes came about when one victim gave a description of the car and its license plate to authorities, Oak Park Det. Sgt. Michael Lepczynski said.

Lepczynski said officers worked Saturday to locate the car, and once they did, placed the auto under surveillance. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the auto in the 1300 block of Homan Avenue in Chicago, and brought in the trio, who were all identified in line-ups by all of the victims, he added.

The investigation is continuing, he added.