Federal agents in Chicago are investigating a series of armed jewelry store robberies conducted by suspects wearing Halloween masks, including ones resembling “Slenderman” and “Uncle Bobby.” The FBI is seeking public assistance in identifying the suspects and has announced a $15,000 reward for information leading to their capture. The robberies, described by the FBI as carefully premeditated, involve a trio of individuals working with a fourth suspect who has already been apprehended.
Two incidents occurred in the Chicago suburbs, with one of the robberies taking place at Jawahir Jewelry on Harlem Avenue in July 2023. In each case, the suspects were highly organized, swiftly overpowering store staff and customers. The suspects held customers at gunpoint, forced them to the ground, and destroyed their cell phones to prevent calls for help.
Additional robberies have been reported outside Illinois, including one near St. Louis and another in Dearborn, Michigan, in August 2024. During the Michigan robbery, the suspects briefly took hostages and brandished a hammer to intimidate victims, but no physical injuries were reported.
The FBI is urging heightened vigilance among jewelry store owners, stressing the importance of monitoring who enters their stores.