The Night That Turned Nightmarish (Image Credits: Flickr)
Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood – A harrowing encounter unfolded in the early morning hours of March 14, 2025, when a 27-year-old man became the target of armed assailants after leaving The Hangge-Uppe bar. What began as a routine walk home escalated into a high-stakes ordeal involving forced entry into a vehicle and repeated attempts to extract cash from ATMs. Prosecutors later revealed that the victim’s discovery of a misplaced cellphone inside the SUV played a pivotal role not only in his escape but also in connecting the crime to a potential series of similar attacks.
The Night That Turned Nightmarish
Shortly before 4 a.m., the man strolled away from the bar at 14 West Elm Street. A white SUV pulled up beside him, and the passenger lifted his shirt to display a handgun in his waistband. He ordered the victim into the vehicle, where the driver joined in demanding his wallet, personal cellphone, and work phone, along with passwords for banking apps.
The assailants drove to multiple ATM locations in a frantic bid for cash. Their first stop at a Wintrust Bank branch on 100 West North Avenue ended in failure when the withdrawal was declined. A second attempt at a bank drive-through also fell short, heightening tensions inside the SUV. Surveillance footage from the Wintrust captured the Lincoln MKT, registered to one of the suspects, entering the lot at the precise moment.
A Desperate Discovery Saves the Day
As agitation mounted during the drive, the victim spotted an iPhone tucked under the front passenger seat. He discreetly retrieved it and hid it on his person without alerting the men. Prosecutors noted this device belonged to another robbery victim from an earlier incident outside the same bar.
The SUV eventually reached a 7-Eleven in River North, where the assailants instructed the man to enter and withdraw money while they circled the block. Store employees refused him entry. When the vehicle vanished from sight, he seized the moment to dial 911 using the found iPhone. Police arrived promptly, though someone later withdrew $324 from an ATM near the scene minutes after he was left behind.
Arrests Follow a Routine Traffic Stop
One week later, on March 21 at 4:23 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the South Loop on the same Lincoln MKT. Lamont Gary, 51, sat behind the wheel, with Kareem Burnett, 50, in the front passenger seat. Body-worn camera footage documented the encounter.
Investigators arranged separate photo lineups, and the victim positively identified Gary as the driver and Burnett as the gun-wielding passenger. Both men now face charges of armed robbery and armed kidnapping. At a detention hearing before Judge Antara Rivera, prosecutors successfully argued for their continued custody pending trial.
Threads to Earlier Crimes Emerge
Examination of the iPhone linked it directly to a February 28 robbery outside The Hangge-Uppe, where two men approached and robbed another patron. Vehicle tracking data showed Gary’s Lincoln frequently navigating the area during early morning hours near the crime scenes.
Authorities also probe a March 7 incident at 1:15 a.m. near Division and Wells streets, which reportedly involved the same vehicle and two offenders. No charges have yet been filed in those cases, but prosecutors indicated the Gold Coast duo may have preyed on additional victims in a pattern targeting late-night bar-goers. Further details from CWB Chicago.
Here are the key elements of the charges:
- Armed robbery: Use of a firearm during the theft of personal items and attempted cash withdrawals.
- Armed kidnapping: Forcing the victim into the vehicle at gunpoint and transporting him against his will.
Key Takeaways
- The victim’s resourcefulness in concealing and using the found phone directly enabled his rescue and the suspects’ identification.
- Surveillance and vehicle records tied the Lincoln MKT to multiple suspicious activities in the area.
- Ongoing probes into February and March robberies suggest a broader crime pattern near popular nightlife spots.
This case underscores the dangers lurking for those navigating Chicago’s vibrant nightlife districts after hours. While swift police action and sharp victim instincts brought partial justice, questions linger about how many others fell prey unnoticed. What steps can nightlife patrons take to stay safer? Share your thoughts in the comments.
