Six men have been charged following a daylight smash-and-grab robbery at a Rolex boutique on Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile. The suspects allegedly stole five luxury watches valued at $170,500 during the heist, which occurred on Friday afternoon at 701 N. Michigan Avenue.
The Robbery
At approximately 2:30 p.m., four of the suspects approached the storefront wearing ski masks and carrying hammers. They used the hammers to break open display cases and steal the watches, while a customer and employees took shelter in a security room and observed the robbery via surveillance cameras. The thieves then fled the scene in a red Nissan SUV.
The Pursuit and Arrests
Law enforcement pursued the suspects along DuSable Lake Shore Drive before merging onto Interstate 94. A helicopter tracked the vehicle as it exited the interstate near 51st Street. The vehicle crashed into a parked car, and the suspects fled on foot. They were apprehended by police shortly thereafter. Four of the five stolen watches were recovered.
Charges and Suspects
The following individuals have been charged with theft by unauthorized control of property exceeding $100,000 and $500,000, burglary, and criminal damage to property between $500 and $10,000:
- Victory Banks, 33
- Will Brown, 21
- Aldonte Goodman, 22
- Anthony Hampton, 24
- Dalvin Johnson, 31
- Armon Williams, 18
All six suspects were detained and appeared in court on Sunday, where they were ordered held without bond.
Community Impact and Response
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke emphasized the seriousness of organized retail theft, stating, “These are far from victimless crimes, and I applaud the Chicago Police Department for their swift work bringing these offenders to justice.”
The incident has raised concerns about retail security and the prevalence of smash-and-grab robberies in urban areas. Local businesses and residents are calling for increased measures to prevent such crimes and ensure public safety.
Further Reading
For more details on the incident and the suspects involved, refer to the following sources:
