Gunman robs two men at restaurant on Chicago's Lower West Side

Suspect also stole money from the 24-hour eatery before fleeing in a gray SUV, police say.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass or damaged property from a restaurant, lit by a harsh camera flash against a dark background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a violent crime incident.The aftermath of an armed robbery at a 24-hour Chicago restaurant exposes the vulnerabilities faced by local businesses in the fight against violent crime.Chicago Today

A male suspect robbed two men at gunpoint inside a restaurant on Chicago's Lower West Side early Sunday morning, police reported. The 33-year-old and 59-year-old victims were inside Don's Grill, a 24-hour eatery in the 1800 block of South Western Avenue, around 5:30 a.m. when the armed suspect approached them, demanded their belongings, and also took money from the restaurant before fleeing northbound in a gray SUV. No injuries were reported, and Area Three detectives are investigating the incident.

Why it matters

Armed robberies at restaurants and other businesses in Chicago's Lower West Side neighborhood have been an ongoing concern for local residents and law enforcement, with the area seeing higher than average rates of property crime and violent incidents compared to other parts of the city.

The details

According to police, the male suspect, whose age was not immediately known, approached the two victims inside Don's Grill with a gun and demanded their belongings. The victims complied, and the suspect also took an undisclosed amount of money from the restaurant before fleeing the scene northbound in a gray SUV.

  • The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Don's Grill

A 24-hour restaurant located in the 1800 block of South Western Avenue on Chicago's Lower West Side.

Area Three detectives

The Chicago Police Department unit investigating the armed robbery incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant and work closely with the community to address the ongoing issue of armed robberies targeting local businesses.”

— Sergeant Maria Hernandez, Chicago Police Department spokesperson

What’s next

Area Three detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and search for the suspect, who remains at large. Police have not yet released a detailed description of the suspect or the gray SUV he fled in.

The takeaway

This armed robbery underscores the persistent public safety challenges facing Chicago's Lower West Side neighborhood, where business owners and residents have long grappled with elevated rates of property crime and violent incidents. Strengthening community-police partnerships and exploring additional security measures for local establishments may be necessary to enhance safety in the area.