Man Posing As Federal Agent Robbing People On South Side
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A man calling himself "Officer Franklin" is posing as a federal agent to rob people on the South Side.
The man approaches victims in a tan SUV, pulls over to talk to people on the sidewalk and identifies himself as an agent or "Officer Franklin," according to a community alert from Area South detectives.
The robber convinces people to get into the SUV under the guise of a criminal investigation, then drives them a short distance and robs them with a silver semi-automatic handgun, police said. He does not show police credentials or wear a uniform.
The robberies happened about 3 p.m. Sept. 15 in the 7700 block of South Colfax Avenue and about 2:10 p.m. Tuesday in the 8100 block of South Paxton Avenue, police said.
The man is described as a 40- to 50-year-old bald black man with a medium to dark complexion, police said. He is about 6-foot, 250-pound black man with sideburns.
He drives a tan SUV, possibly a late model Mercury Mountaineer, with temporary plates, police said.
Police advise people to ask for identification and to use common sense if asked to enter an unknown person's vehicle.
Anyone with information should contact detectives at (312) 747-8273 or send tips to area2tip@chicagopolice.org.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
