Cellphone thefts reported in the Loop: police

Police are asking people to be aware of their surroundings after a string of cellphone thefts were reported in the Loop.

In each incident, a group of males between 17 and 39 years old entered restaurants and other businesses pretending to be part of a not-for-profit program, according to an alert from Chicago police. They distracted people with fliers and placed them over unattended cell phones or wallets, then took the items when they picked up the fliers to leave.

The thefts happened:

• At 1 p.m., June 5 in the 200 block of South La Salle Street;
• At 6 p.m., June 5 in the first block of North Michigan Avenue;
• At 12:50 p.m., June 6 in the first block of East Jackson Boulevard;
• At 5:05 p.m., June 6 in the 200 block of West Jackson Boulevard; and
• At 5:55 p.m., June 6 in the 800 block of South Clark Street.

Anyone with information should call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8384.

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