A suspect involved in a series of armed robberies in Hyde Park has been apprehended by the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) according to an update posted on the University’s Safety and Security website October 22.
As described in the update, a stolen vehicle associated with the robberies was spotted near the location of the initial robberies on October 20. UCPD was able to locate the suspect through the vehicle’s license plate, which was logged in the department’s Strategic Operations System.
The stolen vehicle was pursued by UCPD until it crashed at the intersection of 55th Street and Indiana Avenue. The driver was arrested, and the other occupants of the vehicle fled. UCPD impounded the vehicle and recovered personal items from last week’s robberies, which the Chicago Police Department is still investigating.
According to an October 20 email from Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Eric M. Heath and Dean of Students Michele Rasmussen sent to University community members, security and police presence have been increased on and near campus since the string of robberies.
“We are constantly evaluating additional tools for safety and communication, building on significant investments made over the last two years,” the email read. “These include substantial increases and enhancements to the police force, additional security technology such as cameras and license plate readers, and a new strategic operations center to aid real-time response and crime solving.”
