Gold Chain Robbery Spree Hits Chicago’s Grant Park and Riverwalk

CHICAGO, Illinois — Chicago police are warning the public after a series of gold chain robberies unfolded across Grant Park, the Riverwalk, and nearby Loop streets, in a crime spree eerily similar to last year’s outbreak.

Pattern of Daylight Attacks

According to a CPD community alert, groups of men and women have been targeting victims who are walking alone, often during daylight hours. Offenders run up, snatch gold necklaces directly from the neck, and flee the scene.

The reported robberies spanned a three-week period in August:

• Aug. 1, 9:30 p.m. — 1100 block of South Columbus Drive
• Aug. 2, 9:45 p.m. — 200 block of East Balbo Drive
• Aug. 11, 3:44 p.m. — 300 block of South Columbus Drive
• Aug. 13, 5:25 p.m. — 300 block of East Wacker Drive
• Aug. 22, 8:43 a.m. & 8:48 a.m. — First block of East Wacker Drive
• Aug. 22, 11:00 a.m. — 200 block of East Roosevelt Drive
• Aug. 29, 4:12 p.m. — 100–200 block of East Wacker Drive

Suspect Descriptions

Police say the offenders include one to four Hispanic men and women, ages 20 to 40, and a Black man described as wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and white gym shoes.

In a possible related incident on the Far North Side, a woman reported a gold chain stolen from her neck on the 1900 block of West Norwood. Witnesses described the suspect as a Black woman, 40–45 years old, 5-foot-2, 170–180 pounds, fleeing in a white station wagon with a rainbow-dotted head wrap. A child may have been in the car.

Echoes of Last Year’s Spree

The timing of this year’s spree is reminiscent of 2024’s necklace robberies, which began around Lollapalooza and spread along the lakefront, through the Loop, and into the Clybourn Corridor.

Like this year, victims were often walking alone when surrounded by groups who ripped necklaces from their necks. In 2024, suspects typically escaped on bikes or scooters. One migrant suspect charged in last year’s spree was sentenced to three years in prison in June but is expected to serve less than a year.

Police Request Public’s Help

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com, referencing alert #P25-3-036A.

The downtown gold chain robbery spree highlights growing concerns about repeat crime patterns in Chicago’s busiest tourist and commuter areas.

Stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for breaking updates on Chicago crime, public safety alerts, and community response.