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Two Women Robbed A Minute Apart In Old Town

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two women were robbed moments apart a few blocks away from each other Wednesday evening in the Old Town neighborhood.

Police said a 26-year-old woman was walking home near Schiller and Orleans around 7 p.m., when two men approached her and announced a robbery. One of the two robbers pulled out a gun before they stole her property.

The victim ran into the street for help, and the robbers ran away.

About a minute later, a 40-year-old woman was walking down the street near Wells and Goethe, when two young men approached her from behind, hit her elbow, and stole her cell phone.

The victim of that robbery said everything happened very fast. She was walking south on Wells, getting ready to cross the street, when two offenders believed to be 17 to 20 years old came up and robbed her.

Police said it's unclear if the two robberies were related.

Frank Guske Jr., an Old Town business owner, and member of the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association, said crime has been an ongoing problem, and he wants it to stop.

"We're attempting to line up all of our security cameras so we don't have any voids, and we can actually see what's going to go on, and help authorities as far as what's happening in the street with regards to crime," he said. "It's a Mayberry neighborhood watch type of thing is what we're looking for."

Police said they are checking surveillance camera footage in the area.

No one was in custody Thursday morning.

Area Central detectives were investigating.

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