CHICAGO, IL – The early hours of Thursday morning erupted into chaos in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood when two restaurant owners were abducted and coerced into a grim crime spree, according to local authorities. The unsettling incident unfolded on West 26th Street as the owners were about to begin their workday.
The Chicago Police Department reported that the victims, a 48-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, were on the verge of entering their establishment, Los Tamales de la Tia, when a dark SUV pulled alongside them. Almost instantly, five individuals emerged from the vehicle, three of whom were armed, and initiated a terrifying sequence of events.
Initially, the suspects proceeded to rob the restaurant. The assault escalated as the perpetrators forced the owners into their vehicles, compelling them to accompany the suspects to various ATM locations throughout the area. Under duress, they withdrew money from machines situated on West 26th Street and West 21st Street.
After complying with the robbers’ demands, the couple was released unharmed, though profoundly shaken by the ordeal. The SUV sped off, and the suspects remain at large as authorities continue their search. Details about the suspects are presently scarce, compounding the difficulty in swiftly closing the case.
By daylight, a police presence was evident as crime scene tape surrounded the crime scene at Los Tamales de la Tia. One of the victims expressed their distress, revealing that the assailants had not only threatened their lives but also put their family at risk.
Despite the traumatic nature of the event, the victims managed to escape physically unscathed. However, their emotional recovery may take time, given the threats and intimidation they experienced during the incident.
The investigation is being led by Area Three detectives who are actively collecting evidence and conducting interviews to piece together the suspects’ identities and motives. Meanwhile, the local community is on edge as they hope for a swift resolution and the apprehension of those responsible.
As the search for the suspects in question continues, authorities have asked for anyone with information to come forward to aid in capturing the perpetrators responsible for this brazen act.