CHICAGO – Chicago police are investigating a series of armed robberies and car thefts that of the city South side.

The robberies have been happening in the Gresham neighborhood since July. In these incidents, criminals approach victims and steal their phones and wallets at gunpoint, often using a small black handgun.

Police believe the same criminals targeted delivery drivers and Uber drivers in the area. After robbing the drivers, they fled in the stolen cars. In some cases, the criminals used mace on the victims.

The incidents occurred at the following times and locations:

• 1600 block of W 82nd Street July 24 at 11 p.m
• 8200 block of S Ashland Avenue July 31 at 2:00 p.m
• 8100 block of S Marshfield Avenue Aug. 3 at 11:15 p.m
• 8100 block S Marshfield Avenue Aug. 23 at 6 p.m
• 8100 block S Marshfield Avenue Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m
• 8100 block of S Ashland Avenue September 9 at 5:30 p.m
• 8100 block of S Ashland Avenue Sept. 21 at 5:45 p.m
• 8100 block of S Ashland Avenue Sept. 22 at 3 p.m
• 8100 block S Marshfield Avenue September 24 at 6 p.m
• 8200 block of S Ashland Avenue Sept. 27 at 4 p.m
• 8200 block of S Ashland Avenue October 10 at 12:00 p.m
• 8200 block of S Ashland Avenue Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m
• 8200 block of S Emerald Avenue Oct. 23 at 11:40 p.m
• 1600 block of W 82nd Street Oct. 24 at 4:46 a.m
• 1600 block of W 82nd Street October 24 at 5:30 p.m

Both stolen vehicles, a Hyundai Sonata and a Toyota Camry, have since been recovered.

Anyone with information about these crimes was asked to contact the Detective Bureau – Area 2 at (312) 747-8273 or submit an anonymous tip to CPDTIP.com.