CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Despite police nabbing some of its members, a pickpocketing crew continues to victimize North Side bars and restaurants. One alderman says there’s still plenty of work to do.
“The criminals have stepped up their game. We have to step up ours,” said 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins.
Hopkins said the group known as the “puffy coat bandits” have been getting increasingly bold, swiping purses, wallets and even cell phones from unsuspecting patrons of downtown bars and restaurants, all while donning shiny winter coats.
“Within minutes, they would go to the nearest Target store and they would run up a bill and oftentimes, max out the stolen credit cards,” Hopkins said. “This would all happen before the victim even knew that their credit card had been stolen.”
27-year-old James Wilkins and 29-year-old Jerome Sharp have both been arrested and charged with taking part in the pickpocketing.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Hopkins said. “More arrests are certainly possible.”
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