Juvenile victim reports he was robbed at knifepoint on Forest Ave. just east of First Ave.
On Wednesday, February 28, at 8:15 p.m., a 16‑year‑old Riverside male reported that he was jogging eastbound on Forest between First Avenue and the DesPlaines River Bridge, and when he started to approach the bridge, three males came out of the woods, stopped him, and demanded his wallet - which he did not have on him.
The victim said he offered the offenders a tablet he was carrying while jogging, but the trio did not want it. The offenders then grabbed him by his shoulders, forced him to the ground, and one pulled out a knife and held it to his throat threatening to slash it if he did not give up his wallet.
There was an approximate 5-7‑minute delay reporting the incident to police because the victim went home and told his parents, who then contacted police.
Officers noted that victim had minor slash marks on his face and his throat, but refused medical treatment from paramedics and did not wish to be transported to the hospital.
Police further responded by immediately setting up a perimeter and contacting another agency for a canine search of the incident area. The offenders were last seen going west towards the wooded area near First Avenue so Riverside officers and neighboring officers searched the area on foot and with the canine, but were unable to locate any offenders.
Riverside Police are conducting follow up interviews today, searching the area for video surveillance, and walking the area on foot to look for any witnesses who live in the area and may have information about activity at the time the reported armed robbery occurred.
Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel stated that officers responded immediately when the department was notified and a detective was dispatched to the scene to start an investigation.
Weitzel said detectives will be working this case steadily and will partner with neighboring jurisdictions to see if they can locate or develop suspect information.
The chief is asking that any resident who may have information on this incident or perhaps have been in the area or driving in the area at the time of this street robbery to contact Riverside Police Department and ask for the detectives.
Additional information will be released if any new leads are developed or suspects are taken into custody.
Offenders described as all male whites, 18-24 years of age, all medium build, 5”10 to 6 feet tall, one wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white lettering, the second wearing a blue puffy jacket, and the third wearing a black winter hat and gray long sleeve shirt.