Man Shot, Robbed Of Snowblower Following Chicago Blizzard

A Chicago man was hospitalized early Friday after he was shot and robbed of his snowblower on the South Side.

A 47-year-old man was in the 5600 block of South Shields Avenue about 1:40 a.m. when two men approached him and asked if he wanted to sell his snowblower, Fox Chicago reports. He said no, and the men reportedly shot him in the thigh before taking his snowblower and cash.

The victim was taken to Stroger Hospital and listed in "stable" condition, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Police said the suspects took off in a white sedan, but did not provide further details.

"He's a fairly good working man, always doing things around the yard and trying to help people," neighbor Keysha Hubbard told Fox Chicago.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Comments

[westreal]

12:37 PM on 02/07/2011

Dude, he's out at 1:40am running a snow blower? His neighbors probably sent the guys to take it. And to teach him a lesson.

[kevinkelly262]

12:28 AM on 02/07/2011

This is terrible. This was a horrible storm, and for this to happen is just a total, total shame. Take a look at how strong this storm was. For someone to venture out and take advantage of this is sick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3i0ykV7Jxk

[ChicagoBlackRainbowWomen]

11:22 PM on 02/06/2011

Crackheads sticking again???

Who shoveles or snow blow on the southside of Chicago at dayum near 2 o'clock in the morning, come on now.

[LittleMs Random]

04:57 PM on 02/06/2011

Um...really? Some people....

[1oldhippie]

10:05 AM on 02/06/2011

Are you sure they didn't shoot him for running a snow blower at 2 A/M?

[erikqj]

07:49 PM on 02/05/2011

Your neighbor is a serial killer: "He's always been a nice guy"
Your neighbor is this guy: "He's always been a fairly good guy"

OK...

[chardonnay48]

02:17 PM on 02/05/2011

Okay I apologize a head of time, but that headline made me choke on my coffee LOL.

[Silas Sconiers]

12:32 PM on 02/05/2011

Is it any wonder why the Olympic committee did not pick a city full of hostiles to lazy to dig themselves out in a snow storm.

[gavrielle]

03:49 PM on 02/05/2011

Might also be that many of us wrote them and told them not to come here because we couldn't afford to host a PTA meeting, let alone the Olympics.

[LittleMs Random]

04:59 PM on 02/06/2011

My whole street was out digging out each others doors, cars, and driveway. My fiance was out helping our neighbors from 8am to 4pm...so let's try a new approach, k?

[vinny]

12:19 PM on 02/05/2011

no perp description?

[johnny dio]

12:22 PM on 02/05/2011

I would wager that many of the posters here are eager to speculate.

[rikilii]

01:08 PM on 02/06/2011

Yes:  they have a gun and are pushing a snowblower around.

[RevJimIII]

11:53 PM on 02/06/2011

I thought they got away in a white sedan, blends in with the snow...

[ron071]

11:48 AM on 02/05/2011

Everything seems to be fair game for thieves.  Hopefully , these animals will be caught and given their just punishment.

[VOTER]

11:57 AM on 02/05/2011

X2

[Howard53545]

10:48 AM on 02/05/2011

Damn, I got to carry my glock when I am using my snow blower. I may have to blow someone away along with the snow.

[StaggerLee]

12:28 PM on 02/05/2011

If this guy was packing more than snowballs in Chicago he would be in more trouble than the thugs.

[erikqj]

07:42 PM on 02/05/2011

Well, I know of two guys in Chicago who are packing guns while using a snow blower. Their status as proud gun owners doesn't seem to be a part of the solution, to me.

You can also pretty much bet that they would've pulled their gun(s) first, even if the victim had been packing, and if he had tried to pull his gun, you can pretty much bet the robbers would've aimed for something vital, instead of his thigh.

That's the trouble with guns; the criminals just plain refuse to challenge their victims to fair fights. When that doesn't happen, you're stuck with the sad reality that the only one served by having a weapon, is the one with the element of surprise AND the will to kill. If that's you, then you're one of the guys who definitely shouldn't be packing. If it's not you, then a gun will just get you killed.

[RevJimIII]

11:54 PM on 02/06/2011

So you have it all figured out then, do not engage in self defense.. resistence is futile.  
 
I don't give in to the Borg, sorry.

[Meggie]

10:38 AM on 02/05/2011

Don't mess with Chicagoans after they've dug out their dibs spot, either.
Arizona is full of Chicagoans who could not survive winter here and ran away. 
And you all thought it was the snow and cold - ha!

[Meggie]

10:32 AM on 02/05/2011

Awww, pterack5, I liked your post and could add a couple neighbors to your list!

[fg159]

10:11 AM on 02/05/2011

This report comes from Fox. Are they a reliable News source? I do know they tend to make stuff up.

[kisskins]

10:24 AM on 02/05/2011

Don't worry....NBC will have it in a day or two....

[Meggie]

10:33 AM on 02/05/2011

In the Trib this morning. 
No idea why anyone would be walking down the middle of the street with a snowblower at 1:40 am.
He should have at least been on the sidewalk clearing it as he went!

[dwilson424]

10:08 AM on 02/05/2011

This is Sarah Palins fault with her guns.

[Meggie]

10:34 AM on 02/05/2011

Not likely.  By all accounts, she does not know how to shoot accurately. 
Never saw her lame reality show, but that's the main point that other Alaskans have come out with.