Flower Shop Employee Stabbed During Robbery At Wicker Park Store (VIDEO)
An employee at a flower shop in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood was stabbed several times during a robbery Thursday morning.
Police say a black man described as 25 to 35 years old and just over six feet tall entered Asrai Garden flower shop on West North Avenue around 11:20 a.m., and handed a female employee a note announcing the robbery, Fox Chicago reports. At one point, the employee struggled with the robber, who grabbed a floral cutting knife and stabbed her repeatedly in the head and arm.
The woman was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in serious condition, ABC Chicago reports.
NBC Chicago reports that, as of late Thursday, the woman's condition has stabilized.
The man escaped with cash from the register and an iPod, according to Fox.
This most recent incident follows more than a dozen strong-arm robberies in the Wicker Park area in the last few months, CBS Chicago reports. In response, Chicago's chapter of the Guardian Angels handed out fliers promoting safe and alert travel, and will offer a free self-defense class Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at 2142 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Police do not have anyone in custody, but say they believe the robber is homeless and may be hearing impaired, CBS reports. The victim is reportedly in stable condition at Stroger Hospital.
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First Posted: 02/17/2012 12:16 pm Updated: 02/17/2012 12:49 pm