Armed robber targeting cabdrivers on North Side

Cabdrivers were targeted in five armed robberies Friday and Saturday in the Bucktown, Avondale, Logan Square and Wrigleyville neighborhoods on the North Side.

Each time, the robber flagged down a cabdriver and requested a ride, according to a community alert from Chicago Police.

As they approached their destination, the robber pulled a weapon, and demanded money and cellphones, police said. Twice, the robber used what was believed to be a handgun, holding it to the cabbie’s head while demanding money. Another time, the robber used a large knife and stabbed the driver in the torso.

The robberies happened:

• at 1:25 a.m. April 14 in the 2000 block of West Webster;
• at 3 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. April 14 in the 3500 block of West Melrose;
• at 1:20 a.m. April 15 in the 3700 block of North Clark;
• at 4:15 a.m. April 15 in the 2000 block of West Fullerton; and
• at 11 p.m. April 15 in the 2600 block of North Kimball.

The robber was described as a Hispanic male, 150-160 pounds, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9, clean-shaven, and wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, police said.

Anyone with information should call Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.