South Loop

Police: Man barricaded himself inside South Loop high rise

Feb 4, 2015 |

Mark Collins / photo from the Cook County sheriff's office

(CHICAGO) A man who barricaded himself inside a South Loop high rise for more than seven hours from Monday night into early Tuesday has been ordered held on a $50,000 bond.

Mark Collins, 48, is charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, both misdemeanors, according to Chicago Police.

Officers responded to a call of a domestic disturbance at Collins’ home in a high rise in the 1100 block of South Michigan about 7:40 p.m. Monday, police said.

Collins remained locked in a room until he was taken into custody “without incident” about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

No injuries were reported. Police said the incident was domestic-related.

Collins was ordered held on a $50,000 bond Tuesday, and is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 17.

Man arrested after 7-hour barricade situation in South Loop

Feb 3, 2015 |

photo from Network Video Productions

(CHICAGO) A man barricaded himself inside a South Loop high rise for more than seven hours from Monday night into early Tuesday, prompting a SWAT team response.

About 7:40 p.m., officers responded to a call of a domestic disturbance in a high rise in the 1100 block of South Michigan, police said.

A man, whose exact age wasn’t available, remained locked in a room until he was taken into custody “without incident” at about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

No injuries were reported.

Police warn of series of violent assaults on women in South Loop

Jan 28, 2015 |

(Chicago) Police are warning women of recent series of violent assaults and robberies in the South Loop.

In each incident, at least one man approached a woman from behind, pushed or punched her in the face, knocked her to the ground and then took her purse, cellphone or case, Area Central detectives said in a community alert.

The robberies happened in the:

—1500 block of South Wabash at 9:12 p.m. on Jan. 13;

—1500 block of South Indiana at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 16;

—1900 block of South Indiana at 7:28 p.m. on Jan. 23; and

—1600 block of South Prairie at 8:12 p.m. on Jan. 27.

The suspect or suspects are of two different age ranges— 18-20 or 30-35, police said. He is described as 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10, and 150-200 pounds.

Victims in two of the attacks described the suspect as a black man, but in two others he was of an unknown race, police said.

Police advise women to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behavior immediately. If confronted by an assailant, victims should remain calm, and never pursue a fleeing attacker.

Remember any unique physical characteristics of the assailant, call 911 immediately, and if approached by a witness request contact information.

Anyone with information should call detectives at (312) 747-8384.