Chicago Police warn Uber riders of robbers posing as drivers

Chicago Police are warning Uber customers after two men posed as drivers and robbed customers waiting for rides recently on the Near North Side.

The robberies happened in the 1500 block of North Wells on Sept. 13, and in the 500 block of North State Street on Sept. 19, according to a community alert from Area Central detectives. Both incidents were in the early morning hours.

Two males approached victims waiting for Uber rides on the street and invite them into their vehicle, then intimate the victims into giving them debit cards and PIN information, police said.

The first suspect is described as a black man 27-29, 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3 and 170-200 pounds with a dark complexion, police said. The second suspect is described as black man 28-39, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, and 180-190 pounds, also with a dark complexion.

They were driving a black, four-door Chevy Impala with tinted back window, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (312) 747-8382.

Uber reminds customers that they should only take trips with drivers requested through the app. There are no street hails with Uber. Also, there should only be one person—the driver—in the car when it arrives.

Riders can also check their driver’s first name, photo and license plate number through the app when the driver arrives.