Off-duty officer confronts men who robbed senior in Lake View

An off-duty Chicago Police officer witnessed the armed robbery of a senior Sunday afternoon in the North Side Lake View neighborhood and confronted the suspects, who were later arrested, police said.

About 3 p.m. Sunday, a 63-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of West Barry when he was approached by a man who punched him in the face, according to a statement from Chicago Police.

The victim fell the the ground, and the suspect pointed a handgun at him and announced a robbery, police said. The man started shouting for help as a second suspect appeared, and they struck him with the gun and their fists while searching his clothes for valuables.

An off-duty officer nearby heard the man’s yells and confronted the suspects, drawing his service weapon and announcing that he was a cop, police said. The suspects ran away with the victim’s wallet.

The officer chased them and called dispatchers to give a detailed description of the suspects, police said.

19th District officers who responded to the call saw two men on the street matching the descriptions, police said. After a brief foot chase and search, they were taken into custody and positively identified by the victim. A weapon was also recovered, police said.

David S. Shabazz, 20, was charged with aggravated battery to a senior, armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, all felonies, according to Chicago Police. Juwan Askew, 18, was charged with aggravated battery to a senior and armed robbery, both felonies; and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

Shabazz, of the 5400 block of South Aberdeen, was ordered held on a $1,500 bond, and is next scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. Bond was set at $500,000 for Askew, of the 200 block of West Garfield Boulevard, who is scheduled to next appear in court on July 18.

David Shabazz | Chicago Police