Men forced to strip in Waukegan robberies, police say

Waukegan police believe two robberies that took place last month — where the robbers forced victims to strip to their underwear at gunpoint — were committed by the same group of people.

Sgt. Gabe Guzman of the Waukegan Police Department said officers are seeking information on the group of teens who asked their victims to remove their clothing while they were being robbed.

Guzman said the two robberies, which took place hours apart on July 24, were most likely committed by the same group of teens.

“It's not a trend that is sweeping the underworld or anything,” he said. “It's either something funny for this particular group, or it's a way to get the victim's attention diverted so they can get away.”

The two male victims were robbed as they were walking through an alley in the 700 block of Walnut Street, Guzman said.

He said the victims told police they were approached by three men in their late teens or early 20s who displayed a hand gun. The victims were told to undress to their underwear before their wallets were taken and $3 in cash was stolen, Guzman said.

One of the assailants hit one of the victims with the butt of the gun during the theft, Guzman said.

He said the offenders took the wallet and cellphone from the victim before ordering him to take his pants off. The felon who had the gun then fired two gun shots into the air before fleeing the scene.

Later that morning, another victim was approached by four males while sitting in his car and ordered to get out.

He said anyone with information is asked to contact the Waukegan Police Department at (847) 360-9000.